Atmospheric processes: from cloud to global scales

Summary

The main objective is to present important atmospheric processes from the local to global scales. The course will start with cloud processes, continue to synoptic phenomena like extratropical cyclones and fronts, to finally cover numerical modeling at the regional and global scales.

Content

Keywords

cloud processes, global  circulation, synoptic meteorology, instrumentation, numerical modeling, extratropical and tropical cyclones, fronts, jet stream.

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere (ENG-320)

Fluid Mechanics (ENG-272)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Describe the important atmospheric processes
• Differentiate the dominant ones
• Interpret atmospheric observations
• Analyze typcal meteorological situations

Transversal skills

• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
• Manage priorities.
• Write a scientific or technical report.

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra lectures, exercices session and a 4-week mini project

Assessment methods

The final grade will be based on the evaluation of the report from the project (30%) and a written exam during the exam session (70%).

Resources

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/ENV-407