MTO 459E - Intro.Gen.Circ.Earth's.Atm.

Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to define atmospheric motion using thermodynamic properties of the atmosphere, concept of waves, instability equations and basic equations for dry air. Besides the contribution of the atmospheric motions to general circulation, basic properties, latitudinal and seasonal variability, basic equations supporting the persistence of the atmospheric general circulation will be investigated. Additionally the circulations in the atmosphere are driven by eddies and that how the 3 dimensional investigation of atmospheric turbulence support the global circulation model studies will be reviewed.

Course Description

This course provides a historical context for the current scientific understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere and examines diagnostic studies of the Earth's atmosphere and discusses their implications for the theory of the structure and general circulation of the Earth's atmosphere. Examine the classical zonally averaged flow view of the general circulation of the atmosphere and the role of the mean meridional circulation versus the transient eddies in maintaining the general circulation. Explore the current view of the time- and zonally varying general circulation and its interaction with longitudinally varyingtransient features in the atmosphere, and additionally the impact of these interactions on the maintenance of the general circulation. Investigate how climatological mean stationary waves contribute to the structure and evolution of low-frequency variability on annual (ENSO) and seasonal (MJO) time scales, how persistent flow anomalies around the Northern Hemisphere impact the general circulation.