ATMO 1300 – Introduction to Atmospheric Science Spring 2014 Professor Brian Ancell T/Th 11:00am – 12:20pm MCOM 265

ATMO 1300 – Overview Atmospheric Science is the study of weather (e.g. thunderstorms, hurricanes, cold fronts) and climate (e.g. drought, global warming, El Niño)

ATMO 1300 – Overview Atmospheric Science is the study of weather (e.g. thunderstorms, hurricanes, cold fronts) and climate (e.g. drought, global warming, El Niño) This class will focus on a conceptual understanding of the processes that govern the atmosphere

ATMO 1300 – Overview Atmospheric Science is the study of weather (e.g. thunderstorms, hurricanes, cold fronts) and climate (e.g. drought, global warming, El Niño) This class will focus on a conceptual understanding of the processes that govern the atmosphere A short weather discussion (~15 minutes) will be given each Thursday

ATMO 1300 – Overview Atmospheric Science is the study of weather (e.g. thunderstorms, hurricanes, cold fronts) and climate (e.g. drought, global warming, El Niño) This class will focus on a conceptual understanding of the processes that govern the atmosphere A short weather discussion (~15 minutes) will be given each Thursday A recurring theme of this course will be to explain common and interesting phenomena with the principles learned here

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top?

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top? Why are downslope mountain winds warm?

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top? Why are downslope mountain winds warm? Are weather forecasts ever right?

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top? Why are downslope mountain winds warm? Are weather forecasts ever right? Why do my bottles of lotion always erupt like a volcano when I go to Denver?

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top? Why are downslope mountain winds warm? Are weather forecasts ever right? Why do my bottles of lotion always erupt like a volcano when I go to Denver? Do bathtubs really drain in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres?

ATMO 1300 – Overview Why does liquid stay in a straw when you put your finger over the top? Why are downslope mountain winds warm? Are weather forecasts ever right? Why do my bottles of lotion always erupt like a volcano when I go to Denver? Do bathtubs really drain in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres? Why is West Texas weather among the wildest in the nation?

ATMO 1300 – Overview First part of this class deals with basics: Composition and structure of the atmosphere (Chapter 1) Important external properties important to the atmosphere (the sun, a spinning earth) (Chapter 2) Atmospheric properties (temperature, pressure, wind, moisture, clouds) and how we measure them (Chapters 3-7)

ATMO 1300 – Overview First part of this class deals with basics: Composition and structure of the atmosphere (Chapter 1) Important external properties important to the atmosphere (the sun, a spinning earth) (Chapter 2) Atmospheric properties (temperature, pressure, wind, moisture, clouds) and how we measure them (Chapters 3-7) Second part of this class deals with understanding atmospheric motions based on the ideas learned in the first part of the class: Air masses, fronts, and mid-latitude cyclones (Chapters 8-10) Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning (Chapter 11) Hurricanes (Chapter 12) Weather analysis and forecasting (Chapter 13)

ATMO 1300 – Overview First part of this class deals with basics: Composition and structure of the atmosphere (Chapter 1) Important external properties important to the atmosphere (the sun, a spinning earth) (Chapter 2) Atmospheric properties (temperature, pressure, wind, moisture, clouds) and how we measure them (Chapters 3-7) Second part of this class deals with understanding atmospheric motions based on the ideas learned in the first part of the class: Air masses, fronts, and mid-latitude cyclones (Chapters 8-10) Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning (Chapter 11) Hurricanes (Chapter 12) Weather analysis and forecasting (Chapter 13) Numerous in-class demonstrations will be done to reinforce concepts

ATMO 1300 – Syllabus and General Information Class website: Textbook: Understanding Weather and Climate by Aguado and Burt, 6 th edition Office hours (MCOM Tower Rm 1216): Tu/Th 1:00 – 2:30 or by appointment – please don’t hesitate!

ATMO 1300 – Syllabus and General Information Grading: 3 exams (90%) 5 in-class worksheets (10%) There will be an optional extra-credit project Exams may include material covered in the lectures, textbook, in-class worksheets, demonstrations, and weather discussions

ATMO 1300 – The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY The GOOD – How to succeed in ATMO1300 -Come to class and take notes -Read the text chapters covered in class -Be responsible for any missed classes -Work outside scheduled class time to understand concepts

ATMO 1300 – The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY The GOOD – How to succeed in ATMO1300 -Come to class and take notes -Read the text chapters covered in class -Be responsible for any missed classes -Work outside scheduled class time to understand concepts The BAD – Don’t do the above things!

ATMO 1300 – The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY The UGLY -Any missed exams or worksheets must be discussed with me within 2 days of the due date -In order to be fair, final grades will not be adjusted.