Synoptic Meteorology I & II (ACM 40500 & ACM 40540)

Lecturer: Peter Lynch

Official module descriptor pages: (Synop I), (Synop II)

Sessions: This module consists of 24 1-hour Lectures, 24 1-hour Tutorials and 36 hours of Computer Aided Labs. An intensive course in practical weather forecasting, held in the second semester, forms an integral component of the module.

Aim
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to synoptic meteorology and practical weather forecasting. It provides the student with an opportunity to apply the basic concepts of dynamical and physical meteorology to practical situations, learned in Modules ACM 40460 and ACM 40490. The main focus of the module is on extra-tropical weather systems. Real-time observations are de-coded and analyzed to provide a description of the initial state of the atmosphere. Weather charts are analyzed to identify and predict the evolution of frontal systems. A wide range of numerical weather prediction model outputs are applied to the forecasting problem. Specific mid-latitude systems are examined in detail to provide insight into the characteristic development of extra-tropical frontal depressions.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will have a good foundation in practical weather forecasting. They will be familiar with the main observational methods and with coding and analysis of meteorological data. They will be capable of analyzing plotted charts and developing a synoptic description of the atmosphere. They will be able to prepare basic predictions using a combination of current weather data and NWP model outputs. They will have an excellent appreciation of the crucial role of computer forecasting systems in operational weather prediction.

Resources

Presentations & Notes

Syllabus (PDF)

Forecast Module

Texts
Applied Atmospheric Dynamics. Amanda H Lynch and John J Cassano. Wiley (2006).
Mid-Latitude Atmospheric Dynamics: A First Course. Jonathan E. Martin. Wiley (2006).
Weather Analysis and Forecasting. Patrick Santurette and Christo G. Georgiev. Elsevier Academic Press (2005).