skip to content

MN-GM-METDYN

Study course:M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere
Module:MN-GM-METDYN
Title Dynamics of the Atmosphere (Dynamik der Atmosphäre für Fortgeschrittene)
Module NumberWorkload CP DurationSemester
MN-GM-METDYN180 h61 Semester ST
Person in Charge

M. Kerschgens

Offering Department Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, Cologne University
Applicability Course of StudyCategory Semester
M.Sc. Physics of Earth and Atmosphere Compulsory for main focus meteorology  2
Aims • Equation of atmospheric dynamic
• Comprehension of the derivation and limitation of approximation
• Comprehension of conserved quantities
• Deepening of the lecture by independent processing of atmospheric dynamic
• Independent and guided working and solving of dynamic problems of meteorology
SkillsComprehension of relations of physical basics of atmospheric processes and their application for synoptics
Content Following topics are dealt with on a theoretic level:
• Complete movement equations in inertial and moved system
• Conservation laws of energy, angular momentum and Ertel PV
• Divergence, circulation and vorticity
• Primitive equations
• Representation in different coordinate systems and scales (regional, synoptic, global) and application to special fields of meteorology (e.g. boundary layer, weather and climate prognostics)
• Shallow water equations
• Waves in the atmosphere
• Rossby number development
• Quasi-geostrophic equations
• Baroclinic and barotropic models
• Frontogenesis and frontolysis
• Diagnostic relation for distribution of divergence and vertical velocity. Application of vorticity and Omega equation
• Influence of bottom friction, diabatic heat transfers and orography on synoptic processes
Lectures Form, Theme Max. of Participants h/weekworkloadCP

Lecture

Exercise

20

3

2

90

90

3

3

ExaminationsForm of testing and examination Graded or not
Written examinationGraded
Requirements Successful participation in exercisesNot graded
Miscellaneous Obligatory literature

J. R. Holton, „An introduction of Dynamic Meteorology“, Elsevier Academic Press, 4th ed., 2004.

D. Ettling, „Theoretische Meteorologie: Eine Einführung“,Springer-Verlag, 2002.

Additional literature

H. J. Lange, 2002: Die Physik des Wetters und des Klimas, Dietrich Reimer Verlag, Berlin, 625 pp.

J. Pedlosky, 1987: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, 2nd Edition,Springer Verlag.

Bohren, C. F. and Albrecht, B. A., 1998: Atmospheric Thermodynamics,Oxford University Press, 402 pp.

Haltiner, G. J. and Williams, R. T., 1980: Numerical Prediction and Dynamic Meteorology, John Wiley & Sons, 477 pp.

H. Pichler, “Dynamik der Atmosphäre”, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 1997.