Meteorology 100.2 Introduction to Meteorology

Meteorology 100.2Meteorology 100.2Introduction to MeteorologyIntroduction to Meteorology

• Spring 20092009

• Tuesday 6:00 PM - 8:50 PMTuesday 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM

• Thornton 604Thornton 604

• COURSE WEB SITE: COURSE WEB SITE: http://funnel.sfsu.edu/courses/metr100.2/ http://funnel.sfsu.edu/courses/metr100.2/ ororhttp://ggweather.com/met100.html http://ggweather.com/met100.html

SYLLABUS: SYLLABUS: http://funnel.sfsu.edu/courses/metr100.2/syllabus.htmhttp://funnel.sfsu.edu/courses/metr100.2/syllabus.htm

Meteorology 100Meteorology 100• The one science we deal with every dayThe one science we deal with every day

• Impacts on all aspects of our societyImpacts on all aspects of our society• What does it affect?What does it affect?

• ““Weather Appreciation”Weather Appreciation”– Fundamentals of the atmosphereFundamentals of the atmosphere– Storms, Tornadoes, HurricanesStorms, Tornadoes, Hurricanes– El Niño, La NiñaEl Niño, La Niña– Climate ChangeClimate Change

• No Prior Knowledge of Math or MeteorologyNo Prior Knowledge of Math or Meteorology

Meteorology 100Meteorology 100• Essentials of Meteorology”Essentials of Meteorology”

– C. Donald Ahrens, 5C. Donald Ahrens, 5thth edition (or 4 edition (or 4thth ed) ed)• BookstoreBookstore• or Check Amazon and half.comor Check Amazon and half.com• or or http://www.ichapters.comhttp://www.ichapters.com• or Copy in Reserve Book Roomor Copy in Reserve Book Room

• Internet Access EssentialInternet Access Essential

Jan Null, Jan Null, CCMCCM

• BS Atmospheric Science, UC Davis, 1974BS Atmospheric Science, UC Davis, 1974• MA Geography (Climate), SJ State, 1992MA Geography (Climate), SJ State, 1992

• National Weather Service 1974-1997National Weather Service 1974-1997• Adjunct Professor of Meteorology – SFSU since 1987Adjunct Professor of Meteorology – SFSU since 1987• Golden Gate Weather Services since 1998Golden Gate Weather Services since 1998

– Forensic Meteorology Forensic Meteorology – Consulting (Engineering, Media, 400+ Interviews)Consulting (Engineering, Media, 400+ Interviews)– Forecasting (PG&E, Media)Forecasting (PG&E, Media)– Research areas (El Nino, Hyperthermia)Research areas (El Nino, Hyperthermia)– Projects (AMNH, BASOC)Projects (AMNH, BASOC)

House RulesHouse Rules• Common Courtesy Please Common Courtesy Please

– Cell phones & pagersCell phones & pagers• On silent or OFFOn silent or OFF• If you HAVE to take a call go outsideIf you HAVE to take a call go outside• No text messagingNo text messaging

– No MP3 players during classNo MP3 players during class• TH604 Classroom and Personal LaptopsTH604 Classroom and Personal Laptops

• Only before class and breaksOnly before class and breaks• ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD or DRINKS IN ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD or DRINKS IN

PROXIMITY OF CLASSROOM COMPUTERSPROXIMITY OF CLASSROOM COMPUTERS

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

• WeatherWeather– What is Going on in the Atmosphere NowWhat is Going on in the Atmosphere Now

• ClimateClimate– Weather HistoryWeather History

– "Climate is what you expect,"Climate is what you expect,Weather is what you get". ~ R. Heinlein Weather is what you get". ~ R. Heinlein

Course PlanCourse Plan• Lecture basedLecture based

– Fast Paced – LOTS OF MATERIALFast Paced – LOTS OF MATERIAL– Supplemented by Ahrens’ textSupplemented by Ahrens’ text– Supplemented by webSupplemented by web– Supplemented by AV materialSupplemented by AV material

• IMPORTANT NOTE: There is as much IMPORTANT NOTE: There is as much important material, plus classwork and important material, plus classwork and homework, after the break each weekhomework, after the break each week

• All PowerPoints posted to class websiteAll PowerPoints posted to class website

Tentative Course PlanTentative Course Plan• Homework/Classwork Homework/Classwork

– (100 pts, 12 assignments @ 10 pts each)(100 pts, 12 assignments @ 10 pts each)• Tests: All Multiple ChoiceTests: All Multiple Choice

– 2 midterms (100 pts each)2 midterms (100 pts each)– Final (200 pts)Final (200 pts)

• Term Paper (200 pts)Term Paper (200 pts)– 6 - 10 pages6 - 10 pages

TOTAL 700 POINTSTOTAL 700 POINTS

• Extra Credit Term Paper (75 Pts)Extra Credit Term Paper (75 Pts)

Course PlanCourse Plan• GradingGrading

– 90% = A etc.90% = A etc.– Adjusted curveAdjusted curve

• IntegrityIntegrityDO NOT PLAGARIZE ! Zero Tolerance!DO NOT PLAGARIZE ! Zero Tolerance!

Contact InfoContact Info• Office HoursOffice Hours

– TH 613TH 613– Tuesday 1700-1800Tuesday 1700-1800

• Contact InfoContact Info– (GGWX Office) 408-379-7500(GGWX Office) 408-379-7500– (Cell) 510-928-2824(Cell) 510-928-2824– (SFSU Office) 415-338-7728(SFSU Office) 415-338-7728– [email protected] {preferred}[email protected] {preferred}

Weather ReviewWeather ReviewVisible Satellite image



Weather ReviewWeather ReviewInfrared Satellite image

Enhanced Infrared Satellite image

Weather ReviewWeather Review








Name ?Name ?Major?Major?

Answer one of the following:Answer one of the following:- Where do you get your weather information?- Where do you get your weather information?

If TV, who (or what station) do you watch most?If TV, who (or what station) do you watch most?If Internet, what site? If Internet, what site?

- Why are you taking this course?- Why are you taking this course?

- What particular meteorology topics interest you?- What particular meteorology topics interest you?

Who are You?Who are You?

History Of Weather History Of Weather • Agrarian civilization based on weatherAgrarian civilization based on weather

• Early Greek philosophers tied together science, Early Greek philosophers tied together science, philosophy and religionphilosophy and religion

• MythologyMythology

• Eos gave birth to Boreas, Zephyris, Notus, EurusEos gave birth to Boreas, Zephyris, Notus, Eurus

• Zeus – Lord of the Sky, Rain God, Storm GodZeus – Lord of the Sky, Rain God, Storm God

• Greek ScienceGreek Science

• Thales of Miletus (600 BC) Thales of Miletus (600 BC)

• Early founder Greek ScienceEarly founder Greek Science

History Of Weather History Of Weather • Aristotle (~340 BC) Aristotle (~340 BC)

• Meteorologica Meteorologica – –

• Four “contraries”: hot, cold, moist, dryFour “contraries”: hot, cold, moist, dry

• Four “elements”: fire, air, water, earthFour “elements”: fire, air, water, earth

• Explained (?): aurora, comets, halos, winds, Explained (?): aurora, comets, halos, winds, seas, thunder, earthquakes etcseas, thunder, earthquakes etc

• Generally incorrect !!Generally incorrect !!

• Theophrastus (~ 330 BC)Theophrastus (~ 330 BC)

• Book of SignsBook of Signs

• Weather forecasting from empirical rulesWeather forecasting from empirical rules

History Of Weather History Of Weather • Renaissance (14Renaissance (14thth – 17 – 17thth Centuries) Centuries)

• Age of InstrumentationAge of Instrumentation

• anemometer – Alberti (1450)anemometer – Alberti (1450)

• hygrometer – da Vinci (1486)hygrometer – da Vinci (1486)

• thermoscope – Galileo (1607) thermoscope – Galileo (1607)

• mercury barometer – Torricelli (1643)mercury barometer – Torricelli (1643)

• weather chart – Halley (1686)weather chart – Halley (1686)

• mercury thermometer – Fahrenheit (1714)mercury thermometer – Fahrenheit (1714)

• temperature scale – Celsius (1742)temperature scale – Celsius (1742)

History Of Weather History Of Weather • Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

• ““Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise”Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise”

• 1752 - Observed lightning was electrical1752 - Observed lightning was electrical

• Network of weather observersNetwork of weather observers

• George Hadley George Hadley

• 1735 – Global Circulation 1735 – Global Circulation

•Luke Howard (1772-1864)Luke Howard (1772-1864)

• Classified cloudsClassified clouds

• Admiral Francis Beaufort Admiral Francis Beaufort

• 1806 - Empirical Wind Scale1806 - Empirical Wind Scale

History Of Weather History Of Weather • 2020thth Century Century

• Coriolis Effect Coriolis Effect

• Norwegian Polar Front TheoryNorwegian Polar Front Theory

• World War IIWorld War II

• Cyclogenesis TheoryCyclogenesis Theory

• RadarRadar

• Jet StreamJet Stream

History Of Weather History Of Weather • Most Significant Modern AdvancesMost Significant Modern Advances

• Computer ModelsComputer Models

• Weather SatellitesWeather Satellites

• TIROS April 1960TIROS April 1960

• Doppler radarDoppler radar

• New UnderstandingsNew Understandings

• El NinoEl Nino

• Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Weather ExtremesWeather ExtremesTemperatureTemperature

• What’s the hottest you have experienced?What’s the hottest you have experienced?

•MaximumMaximum

•World 136 ° LibyaWorld 136 ° Libya

•United States 134 ° Death ValleyUnited States 134 ° Death Valley

•California 134 ° Death ValleyCalifornia 134 ° Death Valley

•San Francisco 103 °San Francisco 103 °

• How many times has SF reached 100 How many times has SF reached 100 degrees?degrees?

HumidityHumidity

• Which of these cities has the highest annual Which of these cities has the highest annual average afternoon Relative Humidity?average afternoon Relative Humidity?

A.A. HonoluluHonolulu

B.B. MiamiMiami

C.C. AtlantaAtlanta

D.D. San FranciscoSan Francisco

Weather ExtremesWeather Extremes

HumidityHumidity

• Which city has the highest annual average Which city has the highest annual average afternoon Relative Humidity?afternoon Relative Humidity?

A.A. Honolulu (56%)Honolulu (56%)

B.B. Miami (61%)Miami (61%)

C.C. Atlanta (56%)Atlanta (56%)

D.D. San Francisco (62%)San Francisco (62%)

Why this apparent contradiction?Why this apparent contradiction?


TemperatureTemperature

•MinimumMinimum

• World -129 ° AntarcticaWorld -129 ° Antarctica

• United States -80 ° Prospect Creek, AKUnited States -80 ° Prospect Creek, AK

• California -45 ° Boca ReservoirCalifornia -45 ° Boca Reservoir

• San Francisco +27 °San Francisco +27 °

How many times has SF had freezing How many times has SF had freezing temperatures?temperatures?


RainfallRainfall

•1 Hour Maximum1 Hour Maximum

• World - 15.78” Shangdu, ChinaWorld - 15.78” Shangdu, China

• United States - 12” Holt, MO (~42 minutes)United States - 12” Holt, MO (~42 minutes)

• California - 4.70” Palomar California - 4.70” Palomar

• San Francisco - 1.92”San Francisco - 1.92”

•24 Hour Maximum24 Hour Maximum

• World 73.62” La Reunion IslandWorld 73.62” La Reunion Island

• United States 43.00” Alvin, TXUnited States 43.00” Alvin, TX

• California 26.12” Hoegees CampCalifornia 26.12” Hoegees Camp

• San Francisco 6.19”San Francisco 6.19”


RainfallRainfall

•1 Year Maximum1 Year Maximum

• World 1041” Cherrapunji, IndiaWorld 1041” Cherrapunji, India

• United States 704” Kukui, HawaiiUnited States 704” Kukui, Hawaii

• California 257.9” Camp 9California 257.9” Camp 9



Highest Normal* Annual RainfallHighest Normal* Annual Rainfall

• World 523” Lloro, ColumbiaWorld 523” Lloro, Columbia

• United States 460” Mt. Waialeale, HIUnited States 460” Mt. Waialeale, HI

• California 104.2” HoneydewCalifornia 104.2” Honeydew


* Normal – defined as 30-year average* Normal – defined as 30-year average


SnowfallSnowfall

• Have You Ever Seen Snow? In San Francisco?Have You Ever Seen Snow? In San Francisco?

• 1 Year Maximum1 Year Maximum

• World 1140” Mt. Baker, WAWorld 1140” Mt. Baker, WA

• California 884” Tamarack, CACalifornia 884” Tamarack, CA



Maximum Wind GustsMaximum Wind Gusts

• World – 231 mph Mt Washington, NHWorld – 231 mph Mt Washington, NH

• California – 176 mph Ward Peak (Alpine Meadows) California – 176 mph Ward Peak (Alpine Meadows)

• SFO – 78 mphSFO – 78 mph

HurricanesHurricanes

• 190 mph sustained (Typhoon Tip)190 mph sustained (Typhoon Tip)

TornadoesTornadoes• ~ 300 mph~ 300 mph


ThunderstormsThunderstorms

• Genesis of Genesis of

• Lightning (and Thunder)Lightning (and Thunder)

• HailHail

• DownburstsDownbursts

• TornadoesTornadoes

• HurricanesHurricanes


Other Perspectives on ThunderstormsOther Perspectives on Thunderstorms

• Angels Bowling?Angels Bowling?

oror


A little girl walked to and from school daily.

Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning.

The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school and she feared the electrical storm might harm her child.Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child's school. As she did, she saw her little girl walking along. At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile. Another and another flash of lighting followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile. When the mother's car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to her 'What are you doing?' The child answered, 'I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture.’


United States (World) largest Hail Record• June 22, 2003 – Aurora Nebraska

• 7” diameter, 18.75” circumferance, 1.33 lbs.

World Heaviest Hail RecordWorld Heaviest Hail Record• 2.25 pounds - Bangladesh2.25 pounds - Bangladesh


• Air is a FluidAir is a Fluid

• Warm Air Rises Warm Air Rises

• Air Flows from High to Low Pressure Air Flows from High to Low Pressure

• Differential Heating drives the weatherDifferential Heating drives the weather

• Rising Air Cools by Expansion…Rising Air Cools by Expansion…and Cooling causes Condensation to occurand Cooling causes Condensation to occur

• Sinking Air Warms by CompressionSinking Air Warms by Compressionand Warming causes evaporation to occurand Warming causes evaporation to occur

Weather BasicsWeather Basics

Weather ElementsWeather Elements° TemperatureTemperature° Precipitation ( ? )Precipitation ( ? )° WindsWinds° HumidityHumidity° PressurePressure° Cloud CoverCloud Cover° VisibilityVisibility

Key WordsKey Words° Computer ModelsComputer Models° Satellite ImagerySatellite Imagery

° VisibleVisible° Infrared (i.e., thermal)Infrared (i.e., thermal)

° NormalNormal

• Is Global Warming “real”?Is Global Warming “real”?– Is it caused by humans?Is it caused by humans?– By natural climate variations?By natural climate variations?– Both?Both?

• Have you seen “An Inconvenient Truth”?Have you seen “An Inconvenient Truth”?– Credible?Credible?

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Name ?Name ?Major?Major?

Answer one of the following:Answer one of the following:- Where do you get your weather information?- Where do you get your weather information?

If TV, who (or what station) do you watch most?If TV, who (or what station) do you watch most?If Internet, what site? If Internet, what site?

- Why are you taking this course?- Why are you taking this course?

- What particular meteorology topics interest you?- What particular meteorology topics interest you?

Who are You?Who are You?

Homework #1 (10 pts)

Due via Email Due via Email beforebefore class next Tues, Sep 2 class next Tues, Sep 2

Send email to Send email to [email protected]@ggweather.com with a with a Subject Subject line of line of Met100Met100 and the preferred email address you and the preferred email address you would like to use for class communications.would like to use for class communications.

1.1. Include:Include:Name:Name:Email address:Email address:Major:Major:Class level:Class level:

2.2. Other meteorology classes taken?Other meteorology classes taken?

HomeworkHomework #1 (10 pts) continued #1 (10 pts) continued

3.3. Where do you get your weather information?Where do you get your weather information?- If TV, who do you watch most?If TV, who do you watch most?

- What TV “meteorologist” do you like the What TV “meteorologist” do you like the best? Why?best? Why?

- Which Internet weather sites do you use?Which Internet weather sites do you use?4.4. Why are you taking this class?Why are you taking this class?5.5. What is the most memorable weather event in What is the most memorable weather event in

your life?your life?6.6. What particular topic(s) would you like covered in What particular topic(s) would you like covered in

this course?this course?7.7. Name one song title that has a weather element in Name one song title that has a weather element in

the title or a main part of the lyrics!the title or a main part of the lyrics!

•Tuesday, February 3, 2009Tuesday, February 3, 2009

• Weather Review – Weather Review –

• Chapter 1 – The Earth’s AtmosphereChapter 1 – The Earth’s Atmosphere

• Weather ObservationsWeather Observations

• Intro to Weather MapsIntro to Weather Maps

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Meteorology 100.2 Introduction to Meteorology