Content of Learning Activity

*Introduction: Vertical structure of the atmosphere and specific scales of weather phenomena;

*Atmospheric thermodynamic:
-thermodynamic of dry, wet and saturated air - representation of thermodynamic processes in the atmosphere (emagram 761) - condensation & precipitations processes - air mass indicators - atmospheric stability/instability;
+ link with/illustration by weather phenomena (clouds development and types, fog, precipitations types, convection and thunderstorms, Foehn phenomenon, and so on);

*Atmospheric dynamic:
-equation of motion (general form and expression in the meteorological reference system), hydrostatic balance, Laplace equation, pressure coordinate system - geostrophic/ageostrophic wind, gradient wind, impact of friction, thermal wind;
+ link with/illustration by weather phenomena (wind, wind deviations, sea breeze, jet-stream, and so on);
-equation of continuity;
-vorticity and equation of vorticity evolution (+ quasi-geostrophic approximation);
-vertical motions: omega equation + interpretation;
+ link with/illustration by weather phenomena (tornado, "thermal" and "dynamic" low/high pressure systems, cyclogenesis, frontogenesis & front types, ridges and throughs, and so on);

* Operational meteorology (visit of the Royal Meteorological Institute):
-observation tools (variables measurement and analysis, satellite pictures, RADAR, and so on) ;
-forecast methodology (at very short, short and medium range): extrapolation at very short term - numerical weather forecast models (deterministic and probabilistic forecast) - communication of weather forecast & warnings.
 

Required Learning Resources/Tools

Slides

Recommended Learning Resources/Tools

Not applicable

Other Recommended Reading

2005 : Malardel, Fondamentaux de Météorologie, Ed. Cépaduès, 2005.
J.P. Triplet et G. Roche, Météorologie générale, Ed. Météo France (3ème édition), 1986.
1998 : Kurz, Synoptic Meteorology, Deutscher Wetterdienst, 1998.
J.R. Holton, An introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Ed. Elsevier, 2004.
1. Quinet, Quelques considérations de météorologie dynamique en relation avec l'interprétation des cartes synoptiques, IRM (Miscellanea Série C - n°19).
1995 : Allard, Mécanique de l'atmosphère, Régie des voies aériennes (Publication scientifique et technique n°007), 1995.
1995 : Allard, Thermodynamique de l'atmosphère, Régie des voies aériennes (Publication scientifique et technique n°005), 1995.
1995 : De Keyser, Les phénomènes, Régie des voies aériennes (Publication scientifique et technique n°004), 1995.
1994 : Santurette, Eléments pratiques de météorologie et de prévisions synoptiques, Ed. Météo France, 1994.
1993 : Roux, Le temps qu'il fait, Ed. Payot & Rivages, 1993.
1991 : Roux, Les orages (Météorologie des grains, de la grêle et des éclairs), Ed. Payot, 1991.
2005 : D. Ahrens, Essentials of Meteorology, Ed. Brooks/Cole (Thomson), 2005.
2003 : D. Potter et B. R. Colman, Handbook of Weather, Climate and Water, Ed. Wiley-Interscience, 2003.

Mode of delivery

• Face to face

Type of Teaching Activity/Activities

• Cours magistraux
• Conférences

Evaluations

The assessment methods of the Learning Activity (AA) are specified in the course description of the corresponding Educational Component (UE)