This lesson explores the dynamic links between temperature, pressure, and wind in the atmosphere. The qualitative description of the relationships is augmented with "Math Sidebars" that provide a quantitative treatment. Numerous applications to climatology and forecasting conclude the module.
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Outcome Objectives
After completing the module, the learner will be able to do the following:
- Describe the relationships between mass, temperature, and motion in the atmosphere.
Enabling Objectives
After completing the module, the learner will be able to do the following:
- Describe hydrostatic pressure and hydrostatic balance
- Describe the relationship between the temperature field and heights (or pressure) aloft
- List the major attributes of the Coriolis force
- Describe geostrophic balance
- Given the temperature field, describe the height and wind fields
- Given the winds at a given pressure level, describe the height field
- Describe the relationship between the thermal wind and geostrophic wind
- Given the thermal wind for a layer, describe the thickness and mean temperature for that layer
- Given the thickness, describe the mean temperature and thermal wind fields
- Given the geostrophic wind at 2 levels, determine whether warm or cold air advection is occurring in the layer between those levels
pressure gradient force, hydrostatic balance, layer thickness, Coriolis force, geostrophic balance, geostrophic wind, thermal wind, advection, backing, veering
June 2016: HTML framework updated to latest cross-browser compatibility standards.
2014-07-02: This module was updated for greater compatibility with non-Flash capable browsers. When viewing the module on a tablet or other non-Flash capable browser, use Switch to Text to view the content.
