MET 3502/5561 & 3502/5561(L): Synoptic Meteorology & Synoptic Meteorology Lab (Dr. Haiyan Jiang), Spring 2023
Course overview
This course focuses on analysis and forecasting of middle-latitude weather systems. We will examine the structure and dynamics of these systems by integrating weather observations with the current state of dynamic theory, numerical weather prediction models, and the physical principles of atmospheric thermodynamics and cloud and precipitation physics. The lab is vital to the course content. Students who complete both the lecture and lab will have a good start toward the essentials of the Forecaster’s Art. We will pay close attention to daily weather during the lectures/labs. The lab assignments include traditional hand-drawing of weather maps and computer-based map analysis using the NCAR IDV software. Graduate students will have the opportunity to work on a research-related literature review and term paper reports to increase their ability to utilize knowledge learned in their research/thesis work.
Class web site: http://faculty.fiu.edu/~hajian/MET3502/MET3502.html
Lecture & Lab schedule: fully online
Location: on Canvas
Instructor: Dr. Haiyan Jiang, Office: AHC5 Rm371. Phone: 305-348-2984. Email:haiyan.jiang@fiu.edu.
Office Hours: by appointment through email
Prerequisites: MET 3003 General Meteorology or Instructor's Permission
Textbook:
Mid-Latitude Atmospheric Dynamics - A First Course by Jonathan E. Martin, Wiley, 2006, ISBN 0-470-86465-6.
Reference:
An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Third Edition by James Holton, Academic Press, 1992, ISBN 0-12-354355-X.
MET3502/5561 Synoptic Meteorology:
Syllabus: Click here (pdf version)
Lectures:
Module 1:
Lecture 1: Introduction on synoptic meteorology
Lecture 2: Skew-T Review Click here for Skew-T Manual (PDF)
Module 2:
Lecture 3: Surface Weather Elements
Lecture 5: Forecasting Temperatures
Module 3:
Lectures 6: Review of Instrumentation and Data Sources
Lectures 7: Airmasses, Fronts, and Frontal Analysis
Lecture 8: Interpreting Weather Maps
Module 4:
Lecture 9: Math Review: Derivatives and Integrals;
Lecture 10: Math Review: Vectors, Del Operator, and Divergence
Lecture 11: Curl, LaPlacian, Total Derivative, and Coordinate Systems
Module 5:
Lecture 12: Governing Equations
Lecture 13: Balanced Wind; Click here for Supplemental PPT slides;
Lecture 14: Divergence & Vertical Motion
Module 6:
Lecture 15: Circulation & Vorticity
Lecture 16: Vorticity Equation;
Lecture 17: Life Cycle of Mid-Latitude Cyclone
Module 7:
Lecture 18: Potential Vorticity
Lecture 19: Cyclongenesis (QG Vorticy, Height Tendency and Omega Equations)
Lecture 20: Applications of learned tools in evaluating and diagnosing vertical motion, upper-level troughs, and surface cyclones
MET3502L/5561L Synoptic Meteorology Lab
Syllabus: Click here (pdf version)
Lectures and Assignments:
Module 1:
Lecture 2: FIU WxChallenge Overview Slides; FIU WxChallenge Website;
Lab 1: Skew-T Analysis Questions (WORD), Lab 1 attachments: sounding data and blank Skew-T/Log P Diagram ; or Lab 1 full in PDF;
WxChallenge Competition Assignment #1
Module 2:
Lecture 3: Surface Weather Elements
Lab 2: Surface Observations (WORD) ; Lab 2: PDF
Module 3:
Lab 3: Contour Analysis & Attachment 1: Surface Chart 0630Z 21MAR1955
Module 4:
Lecture 5: Weather discussion and internet resources
Lab 4 Assignment:Weather discussion video
Module 5:
Lectures 6: Airmasses, Fronts, and Frontal Analysis
Lab 5: Isotherm and Isodrosotherm Analysis & Attachment 1: Surface Chart 0630Z 21MAR1955
Module 6:
Lectures 7: Airmasses, Fronts, and Frontal Analysis
Lab 6: Surface Frontal Analysis & Attachment 2: Surface Chart 1830Z 21MAR1955
Module 7:
Lecture 8: Interpreting Weather Maps
Useful Links:
IDV: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/
Weather Prediction Education: http://www.theweatherprediction.com/
For Mid-latitude or General Weather Discussion:
Penn State E-Wall: http://www.meteo.psu.edu/fxg1/ewall.html
University of Wisconsin MM5 model output (current run): http://sol.aos.wisc.edu/current.shtml
NOAA NCEP WPC Surface Analysis: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/sfc2.shtml
NOAA NCEP WPC Hourly Surface Data:
http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/sfc/sfcobs/sfcobs.shtml
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center:
Utah Weather Center: http://weather.utah.edu/
NCAR RAP Real-Time Weather: http://weather.rap.ucar.edu/
UCAR RAP Soundings: http://weather.rap.ucar.edu/upper/
Wyoming Soundings: http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html
Canadian Weather Office Analyses:http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/analysis/index_e.html
Elizabeth Tuttle's Weather Map Site: http://mysite.du.edu/~etuttle/weather/weather.htm
NRL Satellite Imagery Site: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat_products.html GOES Satellite Imagery at NASA/MSFC: http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/
GOES Geostationary Satellite Server (from NOAA): http://www.goes.noaa.gov/
National Radar Mosaic: http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/
NEXRAD Radar (from NOAA): http://www.weather.gov/Radar
NCEP Models:http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/modelinfo/index.html
Decoded METAR Surface Observations (from the University of Washington)
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~stoves/td.cgi
University of Washington weather map, radar & satellite images loops:
Weather Graphics Loops (from the University of Washington)
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/
Virtual Map Room (from the University of Washington)
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/vmaproom/
ONUS radar: last 12hrs at 30m intervals
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?radar_us_full+/12h/30m
CONUS radar: last 2hrs
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?radar_us_full+/2h/
GOES WEST + SFC Analysis: last 48hrs at 3hr intervals
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?fronts_ir+/48h/
GOES EAST + SFC Analysis: last 48hrs at 3hr intervals
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?fronts_ir_east+/48h/
GOES WEST Obs and Pressure Analysis: last 48hrs at 3hr intervals
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?sat_sfc_full+/2d/
GOES EAST Obs and Pressure Analysis: last 48hrs at 3hr intervals
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?sat_east_sfc_full+/2d/
subsitute "sfc" for "850", "500", or "300" for maps at those constant pressure levels
West Coast 1km VIS loop (very large files): latest 6hrs
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?vis1km_west_full+/6h/
East Coast 1km VIS loop (very large files): latest 6hrs
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/wxloop.cgi?vis1km_east_full+/6h/
For Tropical Weather Discussion:
NHC Tropical Weather Discussion: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATWDAT.shtml
NRL Tropical Cyclone Site: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
CIMSS PREDICT page: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic2/predict/#
NCAR Tropical Cyclone Guidance Project: http://hurricanes.ral.ucar.edu/realtime/current/
SHIPS Hurricane Intensity Forecasts (go to the bottom file):
http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/research/tropical_cyclones/ships/ or ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/atcf/stext