Understanding the Weather

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Understanding the Weather: A Free Course in Meteorology

Table of Contents

Unit 1: Introduction to the Atmosphere

Chapter 1: Clouds and Moisture

1.1 Overview: Clouds and Moisture
1.2 What Drives the Weather?
1.3 How Clouds Form
1.4 Basic Cloud Classification
1.5 A Basic Skew-T Primer
1.6 Clouds and Skew-T Diagrams
1.7 Dewpoint Temperature and Relative Humidity
1.8 Rising Air Cools, Forming Clouds
1.9 Chapter 1: Clouds and Moisture Quiz

Chapter 2: Measuring the Atmosphere

[Under Construction]

2.1 Overview: Measuring the Atmosphere
2.2 Temperature Basics
2.3 Pressure Basics
2.4 Galileo to Guericke: Pioneers of Pressure
2.5 Wind Basics
2.6 Mapping the Weather: Station Plots
2.7 A Meteogram Primer
2.8 Time Zone Conversions
2.9 Chapter 2: Measuring the Atmosphere Quiz

Chapter 3: Atmospheric Structure and Composition

[Under Construction]

3.1 Overview: Atmospheric Structure and Composition
3.2 Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
3.3 Identifying the Tropopause on a Skew-T diagram
3.4 Lapse rate: Changing Temperature with Height
3.5 Atmospheric Composition
3.6 Discovering the Elements of the Atmosphere
3.7 History of the Atmosphere
3.8 Moist Air is Less Dense than Dry Air
3.9 Chapter 3: Atmospheric Structure and Composition Quiz

Unit 2: Energy and Temperature

Chapter 4: Energy Basics

4.1 Overview: Energy and Moisture
4.2 What is Energy?
4.3 CCR: Means of Heat Transfer
4.4 Radiation as a Form of Energy
4.5 Radiation Laws Part 1
4.6 Radiation Laws Part 2
4.7 Chapter 4: Energy Basics Quiz

Chapter 5: Energy Applications

5.1 Overview: Energy Applications
5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
5.3 Shortwave and Longwave Radiation
5.4 The Sun/Earth Energy System
5.5 Surface Energy Budget
5.6 Albedo
5.7 Chapter 5: Energy Applications Quiz

Chapter 6: Temperature

6.1 Overview: Temperature
6.2 The Diurnal Temperature Cycle
6.3 Influence of Wind on Diurnal Temperature
6.4 Skew-T Application: Radiation Inversions
6.5 Influence of Water Vapor and Clouds on Temperature
6.6 Ideal Gas Law
6.7 Chapter 6: Temperature Quiz

Unit 3: Wind

Chapter 7: Wind Basics

7.1 Overview: Wind Basics
7.2 Pressure and Mass
7.3 Pressure and Wind
7.4 Thermally Direct Circulations
7.5 Mapping Pressure
7.6 Pressure in the Vertical Dimension
7.7 Skew-T Application: Wind Shear
7.8 Two Views of Circulations
7.9 Chapter 7: Wind Basics Quiz

Chapter 8: Wind and Forces 1

8.1 Overview: Wind and Forces 1
8.2 Gradients
8.3 Pressure Gradient Force
8.4 Coriolis Force
8.5 Applications of Pressure Gradient and Coriolis Force
8.6 Coriolis Force Responding to Pressure Gradient Force
8.7 Geostrophic Flow
8.8 Chapter 8: Wind and Forces 1 Quiz

Chapter 9: Wind and Forces 2

9.1 Overview: Wind and Forces 2
9.2 Curved Flow: Centripetal Force/Net Curvature Force
9.3 Application: Cyclonic and Anticyclonic Flow
9.4 Friction
9.5 The Planetary Boundary Layer
9.6 Force Diagrams
9.7 Wind vs. Advection
9.8 Chapter 9: Wind and Forces 2 Quiz

Chapter 10: Hurricanes

10.1 Overview: Hurricanes
10.2 Hurricane Structure
10.3 Hurricanes are Warm Core Lows
10.4 The Hurricane Life Cycle
10.5 Hurricane Ingredients
10.6 Application: Hurricane Data [Skew-Ts and meteograms]
10.7 Africa: A Source for Atlantic Hurricanes [AEW/SAL]
10.8 Hurricane Climatology
10.9 Hurricane Impacts
10.10 Hurricane Forecasting
10.11 Chapter 10: Hurricanes Quiz

Unit 4: Stability

Chapter 11: Stability 1

11.1 Overview: Stability 1
11.2 Up, Down, or Remain in Place?
11.3 Density Drives Vertical Motions
11.4 Convection
11.5 Adiabatic Processes
11.6 Three Little Lapse Rates
11.7 Chapter 11: Stability 1 Quiz

Chapter 12: Stability 2

12.1 Overview: Stability 2
12.2 Processes that Increase Stability
12.3 Processes that Decrease Stability
12.4 Stability of Lifting and Mixing Air
12.4 Stability of Sinking Air
12.5 Application: Subsidence Inversions
12.6 Chapter 12: Stability Quiz

About Me

I’m an assistant professor of meteorology at a small university. This blog is meant to serve my students and anyone who finds it useful.

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