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Cloud Microphysics, Severe Storms, and Mesoscale Meteorology |
Overview
The focus of this topic is on the dynamical, microphysical, and electrical characteristics of atmospheric phenomena that are mesoscale in size and duration. Such phenomena include thunderstorms; supercells; squall lines; mesoscale convective systems; cirrus, stratus and cumulus clouds; hurricanes and their substructures; mountain/valley circulations; atmospheric jets; sea/land breezes; and orographic flow. Research is conducted on convection, mesoscale instabilities, gravity currents and waves, precipitation physics, cloud ice and liquid water processes, atmospheric electricity, aerosol indirect effects, vortices, tornadogenesis, storm interactions, orographic influences, boundary layer processes, frontal processes, effects of surface heterogeneities, coastal boundaries, and urban effects on weather.
In addition to theoretical studies and mathematical analyses of datasets, we apply the following tools and approaches in our research:
Field Programs |
Numerical Modeling |
Radar |
Satellites |
Faculty:
Sample Coursework During the First Two Years of Our Graduate Program:
| Fall, Year 1 | Spring, Year 1 |
| ATS 540: Daily Weather Lab I ATS 601: Atmospheric Dynamics I ATS 620: Thermodynamics and Cloud Physics ATS 606: Introduction to Climate |
ATS 541: Daily Weather Lab II ATS 602: Atmospheric Dynamics II ATS 622: Atmospheric Radiation ATS 650: Atmospheric Measurements |
| Fall, Year 2 | Spring, Year 2 |
| ATS 741: Radar Meteorology | ATS 735: Mesoscale Dynamics |
| Other classes of interest | |
| ATS 604 Atmospheric Modeling ATS 623 Atmospheric Boundary Layer ATS 710 Geophysical Vortices ATS 712 Dynamics of Clouds ATS 724 Cloud Microphysics ATS 730 Mesoscale Numerical Modeling |
