Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes: Volume I: Principles of Kinematics and Dynamics / Edition 1

by Howard Bluestein

Overview

This new, comprehensive textbook for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students of meteorology presents for the first time information that is now considered essential in modern weather forecasting. Based on a successful series of courses taught by the author at the University of Oklahoma, the text carefully examines the foundations of synoptic meteorology, from the analysis of scalar fields to atmospheric kinematics, dynamics, and thermodynamics. Newer topics such as Q-vectors, and modern observing systems such as Doppler radar are discussed, and several detailed figures and many helpful problems are included. This timely work emphasizes both physical understanding and mathematical analysis, and clearly explains observations in light of current theory. It will be a valuable reference for weather forecasters and researchers as well as students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195062670
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	05/21/1992
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	9.56(w) x 6.44(h) x 1.28(d)

Table of Contents

PART I: Introduction
1. What is Synoptic Meteorology?
2. Units and Variables
3. Coordinate Systems
PART II: Scalar Fields and Their Kinematics
1. The Pressure Field
2. The Temperature and Moisture Fields
3. The Measurement of Scalar Fields
PART III: Kinematics of the Wind Field
1. Properties of the Wind Field
2. Computation of Divergence, Vorticity, and Deformation
3. Properties of the Three Dimensional Wind Field
4. Measuring the Wind Field
PART IV: Elementary Atmospheric Dynamics and Thermodynamics
1. The Law of Motion
2. The Equation of Continuity
3. The Thermodynamics Equation
4. Friction
5. The Vorticity Equation
6. Energetics
7. Thermodynamic Retrieval
PART V: Quasi-Geostrophic Theory
1. Introduction
2. Estimating the Terms in the Vorticity and Thermodynamics Equation
3. Estimating Vertical Motion from the Observed Wind and Mass Fields
4. Estimating Local Height Tendencies from the Observed Wind and Mass Fields
5. The Quasi-Geostrophic Vorticity and Thermodynamic Equations
6. Derivation of the Quasi-Geostrophic w and Height Tendency Equations
7. Interpretation of the Quasi-Geostrophic w-Equation
8. The Quasi-Geostrophic Potential Vorticity Form of the Height-Tendency Equation
9. Static Stability Effects on Vertical Motion
10. Interpretation of the Quasi-Geostrophic Height-Tendency Equation
11. The Effects of Vertical Variations in Static Stability on the Geopotential-Height Tendency