Lectures:  MWF, 10:30 -11:20PM, TH 10:30 - 12:20, 610 ATG

Reference Books and Materials:
Extratropical Cyclones: The Erik Palmen Memorial Volume
Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes, H.B. Bluestein
The Life Cycle of Extratropical Cyclones:  Shapiro and Gronas
Handouts and recommended papers.

Evaluation: Lab work 1/3; student paper 1/3, Final Exam 1/3

Equipment: 3 #2 pencils; colored pencils (red, blue, green and purple); good eraser.

Course Outline:

Course Theme This Year:  Structural evolution of midlatitude cyclones

Lecture Topics:

1. Overview: Evolving ideas regarding cyclone and frontal structure/dynamics
Historical review

2. Fronts and frontogenesis

a. Basic frontal relationships and dynamics. Zero and first order fronts.
b. The frontogenetical equation.
c. Secondary circulations: the Sawyer-Eliassen equation.
d. Observations of fronts and frontogenesis.
e. Theory and modeling of frontogenesis.
f. Upper-level fronts.

3. Diagnosis of synoptic systems.

a. Quasi-geostrophic w-equation, Q-vectors, and Sutcliffe/Pettersen/Trenberth approaches
b. Advanced satellite interpretation.
c. Jet streak theory and application.

4. Three-dimensional structural evolution of midlatitude cyclones

a. Conceptual models of cyclone structural evolution. Norwegian cyclone model, split fronts, cold fronts aloft, etc.
b. Simulated structures and airflows.
c. Results from recent field experiments.
d. Modification of cyclone/frontal structures by orography and coastlines.

5. Cyclogenesis

a. Peterssen A and B development
b. PV view of cyclogenesis
c. Modal and non-modal development
d. Explosive cyclogenesis

6. Subsynoptic Systems

a. Polar lows and comma clouds
b. Symmetric instability and banded structures.

Laboratory exercises will be an integral part of this course. We will examine the dynamics and structures of 2-3 events, probably including the Inauguration Day Storm and the March 1993 "Storm of the Century." Students will become familiar with surface and upper air analysis techniques and advanced satellite.