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Class Hours and Location: 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM (TR) in PAS 488 Instructor: Prof. Christopher L. Castro (email: castro@atmo.arizona.edu), PAS 520, 626-5617. Office Hours: Prof. Castro: TR 2:15-3:15 or by appointment. Office hours subject to change with advance notice.
Required Text:
Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling, Second Ed., by R.A. Pielke Sr., 2002. Acadamic Press. 676 pp.
Supplemental Text:
Parameterization Schemes: Keys to Understanding Numerical Weather Prediction Models, by D.J. Stensrud, 2007. Cambridge. 459 pp.
Additional articles and notes will be provided or suggested during the course of the semester.
Objective: This course provides an overview of mesoscale meteorological modeling, emphasizing limited area models. It is a modified version of a course originally developed by Professor Roger Pielke, Sr., and currently taught at the University of Colorado. The objective is to provide students a framework for understanding limited area models commonly used in the atmospheric science community, either as numerical weather prediction models or regional climate models. Topics include conservation equations of the atmosphere; methods of solution; boundary and initial conditions; coordinate systems; parameterization schemes; and model application and evaluation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, as this is used in the UA Department of Atmospheric Sciences.
Course outline:
1. Conservation equations of the atmosphere
Basic conservation equations Simplification of basic equations and averaging Linear models
2. Model dynamical core
Finite differencing schemes Diagnostic equations Time splitting Nonlinear effects
3. Boundary and Initial Conditions and Grid Structure
Grid and domain structure Vertical coordinate systems Initialization Spatial boundary conditions
4. Parameterization Schemes
Surface and planetary boundary layer Longwave and shortwave radiation Convection Cloud microphysics Land surface
5. Model Application and Evaluation
Idealized simulations Numerical weather prediction Regional climate modeling Model validation Sensitivity analyses Ensembles
Grading: 50% of the grade is based on homework assignments, the bulk of which will focus on methods of solution. These may also involve simple exercises with the WRF model (TBD). 20% of the grade is based on two in-class quizzes during the semester which will emphasize basic understanding of course concepts. The remaining 30% of the grade is based on a student term project. Term project proposal will be due approximately midway through the semester, and term projects will be due by the last class of the semester. Project write-ups will be as articles written in AGU/AMS format and should include an introduction, methodological description, presentation of results, discussion, summary, and figures. Students will also present their results in the form of a 10 to 15 minute oral presentation during approximately the last one to two weeks of the course, depending on course enrollment.
Course prerequisites:
Atmospheric physics and thermodynamics (or physics equivalents) Atmospheric (or fluid) dynamics
Course will also require familiarity with computer programming (e.g. C or FORTRAN) and computer graphical display packages (e.g. GrADS, IDL, Matlab). Prerequisites may be waived with permission of instructor. Students will also need access to computing systems to use WRF or a similar model.
Attendance Policy: All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that particular religion if the instructor is given reasonable notice. Absences for travel and university activities will be honored if the instructor is given reasonable advance notice. Students are responsible for all material missed in class. Academic Integrity: The UA Code of Academic Integrity, Code of Conduct and Student Code of Conduct are strictly followed. All students are responsible for knowing the codes and abiding by them. See http://web.arizona.edu/~dos/uapolicies/. You can submit complaints about fellow students online at http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/index.html. Your submission is completely anonymous, and I will investigate the allegations further. Disability Resource Center: I remind students who are registered with the Disability Resource Center that I must receive appropriate documentation if they are requesting reasonable accommodations.
Course Withdrawal and Incomplete Grades: Last day to drop the course without it appearing on your record is Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. Last day to drop the course with a "W'' grade is Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2008. To receive a W, your average grade at the time you drop must equal or exceed 55%. An incomplete grade can be assigned provided there is a compelling personal circumstance. An incomplete grade form must be filed with the department. |
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Syllabus |
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Objective Analysis in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences |
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MWF 2:00 P.M.—2:50 A.M. PAS 488 |
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ATMO 558: Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling Spring Semester 2008 |
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TR 1:00 P.M.—2:15 P.M. PAS 488 |
