Fundamentals of Meteorology

This course starts with a brief description of the atmosphere, the global circulation and mid-latitude weather systems. You’ll study theoretical concepts that help explain these descriptions. Then we use the theory to explain the dynamics of extratropical cyclones and fronts.

• The theory topics are:
• Thermodynamics: first law of thermodynamics, thermodynamic processes and potential temperature
• Atmospheric moisture: mixing ratio, dew point temperature, relative humidity and the impact on the atmospheric stability
• Dynamics: forces acting on air parcels, pressure gradient force, Coriolis force, drag, forces in balance: hydrostatic, geostrophic and gradient wind
• Analysis of atmospheric state using a tephigram
• Temperature gradient effects: thermal wind balance and thermal advection
• Calculations using divergence and vorticity.