Instructors: Dave Carroll, primary instructor; Dr. David Kibler, instructor of record; Ethan Knocke, Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 - 10:00 AM. I teach an off-campus section of meteorology in a neighboring county, so most days you can reach me between the hours listed above at 540-643-0243 (it is a local call from Blacksburg). I do check my e-mail every day, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Course Description:
Applied Meteorology is an Internet course specifically designed to offer students the background information necessary to understand the basic processes in the atmosphere, and develop a knowledge base that will enable students to monitor and evaluate developing weather events. The primary focus for the course will center around utilizing web-based resources in understanding and forecasting weather. (3hr/3cr).
Students successfully completing this course may apply for a position on a 2-week storm chase to the Great Plains with the instructor, VT faculty, and forecasters from the National Weather Service(this option is not offered for college credit at this time, and requires a separate activity fee).
Special Note: This is a web-based course which requires a considerable amount of study-related discipline on the part of the student. Assignments and tests will be due at certain points throughout the course, and no late work is accepted without a written excuse from your advisor. Reliable Internet access is a prerequisite for this class. If you lack self-directed motivation in studying, or reliable Internet access during daytime and evening hours, do not register for this course!
PART I:
Unit 1: Atmospheric Basics
We will look at the chemical make-up of the atmosphere, its origins, solar inputs and circulation.
Unit 2: Buoyancy & Adiabatic Processes
Temperature variations due to the compression and expansion of air, and how this influences our weather.
Unit 3: Air Pressure, Wind, & Jetstreams
The weight of our atmosphere, how it varies with altitude, high and low pressure centers, and how pressure gradients produce and direct winds at the surface and aloft.
Unit 4: Air Masses & Fronts
The major air masses that affect our weather, their characteristics, and the boundary lines that form between them.
Part II
Unit 5: Atmospheric Moisture
The basics aspects of atmospheric moisture, including humidity and dewpoint, condensation and evaporation, cloud formation and classification, precipitation and satellite imagery. Sources of lift (frontal, orographic, outflow boundaries, divergence aloft, isentropic lift) involved in cloud formation will be covered as well.
Unit 6: Doppler Radar and Satellite Imagery
A basic overview of NEXRAD capabilities and imagery, including reflectivity and velocity images, precipitation estimates, vertical and horizontal scans, and evaluating severe weather potential.
Unit 7: Forecast Models & Mid-latitude Cyclones
An introduction to numerical models, and how to interpret them as an aid in forecasting both winter precipitation and convective storms. Applications will include forecasting temperatures, precipitation types, the development of lows, vertical velocities and precipitation strength, steering levels, and jetstream analysis. Model data will be used to analyze mid-latitude cyclone development.
Unit 8: Hurricanes
A look at the basics of tropical cyclones, including development, hazards, climatology, classification, forecasting, and historical storms.
Part III
Unit 9: Instability
The mechanisms that allow air to continue rising vertically in the atmosphere and the role it plays in storm development. Measures of instability including Lifted Index, Showalter Index, K-Index, and CAPE will also be covered. Capping inversions will be introduced here as well.
Unit 10: Convective Variables & Thunderstorm Life-Cycle
The developmental stages of thunderstorms and the conditions vital to their formation. Hazards associated with storms (lightning, hail, downbursts, flash-flooding) will be covered. Also, an introduction in evaluating flash-flooding potential (theta-e, precipitable water, etc.) will be included.
Unit 11: Thunderstorm Types
A large unit dedicated to the characteristics and convective variables involved with the development of pulse storms, multicell clusters, squall lines, and supercells.
Unit 12: Tornado and Severe Weather Forecasting
A review of mesocyclone development and the steps thought to be involved in tornadogenesis, as well as Fujita Scale classification, multiple-vortex events, and historical storms. The factors involved in severe weather outbreaks, and what forecasters review in determining convective threats. Topics will include model data and severe weather indices, hodographs, parameters influencing storm type and severity, and how these factors are included in forecasting.
Grading:
Refer to the "Grades/Required Work" under Course Information for further details on the following.
Unit Quizzes = 10%
Timed-Labs = 15%
Midterm Exam 1 = 25%
Midterm Exam 2 = 25%
Final Exam 25%
-Unit quizzes are open-note and untimed. NO quiz extensions will be given without notification from an academic advisor.
-Timed-labs are based on a series of online sites. Students may print the lab questions and answer them prior to activating the Timed-Lab test. A 60-minute time limit applies to the Timed-Lab.
-Exams are open-note AND limited to 60 minutes. A 10% penalty will be assessed for every 10 minutes over the allotted time. While exams are open-note, no assistance from others is allowed. You are on your own, and on your honor.