Synoptic Meteorology II

Class Period:                 MWF 8:00 am – 8:50 am
Venue:                    CSE Room 246 & Forecast Lab
Textbook: Rauber, B., Walsh, J.E. & Charelvoix, D.J. (2008) Severe and Hazardous Weather: An Introduction to High Impact Meteorology
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My Office:                  CSE Room 254
Office Hours:           M 11:30 – 12:00, W 10:00 – 12:00, F 11:00 - 11:30 (or by appointment)

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Course Description: Synoptic Meteorology II the second half of a two-part course that focuses on atmospheric analysis, severe weather and weather forecasting. As with Synoptic Meteorology I, we will work toward developing a more sophisticated understanding of the atmosphere while gaining valuable experience issuing local and national forecasts over the next few months. Throughout the course we will examine how a variety of severe weather phenomena occur across the country, spend time forecasting in a meteorology lab environment and read and critically evaluate professional journal articles on selected weather events. We will conclude the courses with a paper and presentation that combines the understandings we’ve developed over the past two semesters with your personal interests in meteorology and severe weather.

Course Design: This upper level course consists of approximately 1 hour of traditional and interactive (requiring student participation) lecture each week. Each week, approximately 2 hours will be devoted to weather forecasting in a lab setting where students can work collectively and individually on atmospheric analysis & prediction preparations. Some class sessions will involve discussions of scientific literature and in-class assignments. Short homeworks will also be assigned intermittently throughout the semester to assist you in learning course material. There will be a mid-term and final exam to test you on learned course material. In addition, the end of class will include a research paper and presentation. I encourage you to take thorough notes on the material I present in class. Questions on the course material are always welcomed and strongly encouraged while class is in session. If at any point during the semester you find yourself struggling with this course, please see me as soon as possible in office hours or set up an appointment to meet with me. This class will not include any form of extra-credit assignments. I also do not give out my course notes to students. Since student participation is required for the successful completion of this course I strongly advise that you come to class on time. You are responsible for making up all material if you are ever absent.

General Topics: If we have enough time the following types of severe weather will be covered in this course.

· Mountain Windstorms

· Thunderstorms

· Tornadoes

· Hailstorms

· Lightning

----Midterm Exam----

· Downbursts

· ENSO

· Tropical Cyclomes

· Floods

· Droughts

· Heatwaves

Tentative Course Schedule:

WEEK 1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Wed: 1.13.10~~ Course & Forecasting Introduction

Fri: 1.15.10 Lecture 1: Mountain Windstorms

Read: Ch. 17, pgs. 315 – 330

Homework 1 Distributed

WEEK 2-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 1.18.10 NO CLASS: AMS CONFERENCE

Wed: 1.20.10 NO CLASS: AMS CONFERENCE

Fri: 1.22.10 NO CLASS: AMS CONFERENCE

WEEK 3-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Mon: 1.25.10~~ Lecture 2: Thunderstorms

Read: Ch. 18, pgs. 331 – 358

Homework 1 Due, Homework 2 Distributed

~~Wed: 1.27.10~~ Forecasting Class 1

~~Fri: 1.29.10~~ Forecasting Class 2

Homework 2 Due

WEEK 4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Mon: 2.01.10~~ Lecture 3: Tornadoes

Read: Ch. 19, pgs 359 – 388

Homework 3 Distributed

2 Journal Articles Distributed

~~Wed: 2.03.10~~ Forecasting Class 3

~~Fri: 2.05.10~~ Forecasting Class 4

Homework 3 Due

WEEK 5-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Mon: 2.08.10~~ Tornadoes Articles: Discussion Session 2

~~Wed: 2.10.10~~ Forecasting Class 5

Fri: 2.12.10 Forecasting Class 6

WEEK 6-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Mon: 2.15.10~~ Lecture 4: Hailstorms

Read: Ch.20, pgs. 389 – 406

Homework 4 Distributed

~~Wed: 2.17.10~~ In-Class Assignment 1: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes & Hailstorms

~~Fri: 2.19.10~~ Forecasting Class 7

Homework 4 Due

WEEK 7-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~Mon: 2.22.10~~ Lecture 5: Lightning

Read: Ch. 21, pgs. 407 – 424

Assignment 1 Due, Midterm Exam Review Sheet Distributed

~~Wed: 2.24.10~~ MIDTERM EXAM (weeks 1 – 7)

~~Fri: 2.26.10~~ Forecasting Class 8

WEEK 8-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 3.01.10 Lecture 6: Downbursts

Read: Ch. 22, pgs. 425 – 444

Homework 5 Distributed

~~Wed: 3.03.10~~ Forecasting Class 9

~~Fri: 3.05.10~~ Forecasting Class 10

Homework 5 Due

WEEK 9------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 3.08.10 Lecture 7: El Niño/ Southern Oscillation

Read: Ch. 23, pgs. 445 – 462

2 Journal Articles Distributed

Wed: 3.10.10 NO CLASS: MID-SESSION BREAK

Fri: 3.12.10 NO CLASS: MID-SESSION BREAK

WEEK 10-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 3.15.10 ENSO Articles: Discussion Session 3

Paper & Presentation Instructions Distributed

Wed: 3.17.10 Forecasting Class 11

Fri: 3.19.10 Forecasting Class 12

WEEK 11-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 3.22.10 Lecture 8: Tropical Cyclones

Read: Ch. 24, pgs. 463 – 498

Homework 6 Distributed

Wed: 3.24.10 In-Class Assignment 2: Downbursts, ENSO & Tropical Cyclones

Fri: 3.26.10 Forecasting Class 13

Homework 6 Due

WEEK 12-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 3.29.10 Lecture 9: Floods

Read: Ch. 25, pgs. 499 – 526

Homework 7 Distributed

Assignment 2 Due

Wed: 3.31.10 Forecasting Class 14

Fri: 4.02.10 NO CLASS: GOOD FRIDAY

WEEK 13-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 4.05.10 Lecture 10: Droughts

Read: Ch. 26, pgs. 527 – 550

Homework 7 Due

2 Journal Articles Distributed

Wed: 4.07.10 Drought Articles: Discussion Session 4

Fri: 4.09.10 Forecasting Class 15

WEEK 14-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 4.12.10 Lecture 11: Heatwaves

Read: Ch. 27, pgs. 551 – 574

Homework 8 Distributed

Wed: 4.14.10 In-Class Assignment 3: Floods, Droughts & Heatwaves

Fri: 4.16.10 Final Presentations

Homework 8 Due

WEEK 15-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon: 4.19.10 Final Presentations

Assignment 3 Due

Wed: 4.21.10 FINAL EXAM (weeks 8 – 14)

Final Papers Due

Center for Science and the Environment 254
Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806-3999
Office Tel: 715.682.1301
Email: mmalin@northland.edu