The physical laws governing planetary and synoptic-scale atmospheric motions are developed mathematically based on conversion of mass, momentum, and energy.
(3 lecture, 2 laboratory) Use of weather data, manual analyses, and meteorological software tools in weather forecasting and case studies. Practice includes review of theory, student weather briefing, daily forecast, and statistical forecast verification.
(3 lecture, 2 lab) Describes the principles of numerical weather prediction, modern forecast models, and their uses. Emphasis is placed on weather analysis, the advantages and limitations of numerical models, and advanced forecasting applications.
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CS 101 with a minimum grade of C)
Factors affecting climate; analytical methods used to study climatology, general circulation of the atmosphere, oceans, and the global energy balance. Introduction to global climate models, projects of climate change.
Survey of climate history and methods of interpreting geological, paleontological, and paleobotanical climate proxies. Introduction to modeling, utility of using models to reconstruct past climate, and current research in paleoclimate.
Principles of extreme weather over complex terrain, Rocky Mountains, and Colorado Front Range. Fire weather, windstorms, air pollution, blizzards and snow avalanches, monsoon circulations, and forecast applications.
Explore topics in Meteorology beyond existing departmental offerings. Specific topics determined by student interest and instructor.