Assignment: Survey of Meteorology
Course Text: Meteorology Today by C. Donald Ahrens, 9th Ed.
Course Description: This is a survey course in meteorology that includes applications to flight. Included is a systematic development of the following topics: the composition and general structure of the atmosphere, weather observations and data, energy and energy transfer in the atmosphere, seasonal and daily controls on temperature, atmospheric moisture, fog, clouds, atmospheric stability, precipitation, icing, atmospheric pressure, winds, local and regional circulations, the general circulation pattern, jet streams, turbulence, air masses, fronts, mid-latitude cyclones, thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, and climate change.
Goals: This course is designed to provide the student with a general meteorological background with some emphasis on the impact of weather on flight operations.
Learning Outcomes:
During the course, the student will, to the satisfaction of the instructor:
1. Identify the gases of the atmosphere, their relative concentrations, and the significant characteristics of those gases.
2. Specify the average attributes of temperature and pressure in the vertical dimension.
3. Decode the standard components of a METAR.
4. Distinguish between various forms of energy and energy transfer processes.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the occurrence of the seasons.
6. Differentiate between the mechanisms that bring about temperature patterns.
7. Determine various representations of humidity in the atmosphere (e.g., vapor pressure, mixing ratio, dew point, relative humidity, etc.).
8. Discriminate between the different types of fog and how they form.
9. Recognize various cloud types and formation processes.
10. Given an environmental lapse rate, determine the stability of the atmosphere.
11. Distinguish between different forms of precipitation and how they develop.
12. Identify the icing types and key factors in their formation.
13. Demonstrate an understanding of how winds are generated in the atmosphere.
14. Recognize wind circulation patterns on a variety of scales.
15. Make a distinction between the two types of jet streams, their characteristics, and explanations for their formation.
16. Be familiar with mechanisms that lead to turbulence.
17. Differentiate between the various air mass types and how they are formed.
18. Characterize different types of surface fronts.
19. Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of mid-latitude cyclones.
20. Identify the attributes and behaviors of thunderstorms.
21. Identify the attributes and behaviors of tropical cyclones.
22. Select the key scientific issues associated with climate change.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.