58357 - Atmospheric Physics and Meteorology

Course contents

Course contents

The course is organized in 2 modules. The module A (28h, formally Module2) deals with the Fundamentals of Synoptic Meteorology, and Module b (24h, formally Module1) concerns the basis of Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and energy balance.

Module A (Prof. Carrassi) is structured as follows.

Introduction to synoptic meteorology;

Atmospheric thermodynamics:

- Hypsometric equation

- Adiabatic processes and Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

- Wet processes

- Thermodynamic diagrams

- Static thermal stratification: neutral, stable and unstable

- Conditional and convective instability

- Convective inhibition (CIN)

- Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE)

Dynamics of synoptic systems:

- Synoptic systems

- Equation of motion in vector form and in various coordinate systems

- Equation of continuity

- Equation for energy

- Scale analysis of the equations of motion

- Scale analysis of the continuity equation

- Vertical motions

- Equation for pressure tendency

- Solutions of the equations for the gradient wind; inertial wind; cyclostropic wind

- Geostrophic approximation

Elements of synoptic meteorology:

- Fronts: definition and characteristics

- Cyclones: definitions and characteristics

- Extra-tropical cyclones

- Mediterranean cyclones

- Time maps and their interpretation

Module B (Prof. Maestri) is structured as follows:

1 Radiative transfer in atmosphere: basic definitions

• Thermal and chemical structure of the atmosphere
• Radiatively active gases
• Electromagnetic spectrum
• Sun solid angle
• Monochromatic and total radiance and irradiance

2 The Sun

• Sun luminosity and solar constant
• Solar spectrum
• Natural variation of solar total irradiance
• Insolation

3 Black body and thermodynamic equilibrium

• Maxwell Boltzmann’s distribution
• Derivation of the Planck’s equation
• Features of the black body model
• Local thermodynamic equilibrium in the atmosphere

4 Absorption of radiation in the atmosphere

• The law of absorption
• Monochromatic transmissivity, absorptivity and reflectivity
• Measures of solar radiation from the ground: Smithsonian method

5 Emission of radiation in the atmosphere

• The source function
• The Schwarzschild’s equation
• Brightness temperature

6 Introduction to scattering

• Scattering regimes
• A simple scattering model

  7 Measuring trace gases in the atmosphere

• Ozone total column from ground
• Differential absorption spectroscopy
• Scattered light DOAS

8 Energy balance 1-D models

• Radiative heating in the atmosphere
• BDRF and spherical albedo
• Earth emission
• Radiative equilibrium of a planet

9 Greenhouse effect

• Greenhouse parameter
• Radiative equilibrium in a window black/grey atmospheric model
• Greenhouse model and climate sensitivity

10 Radiation and Temperature profile

• Multiple layers window gray model
• Equiibrium temperature profile
• Runaway greenhouse

11 Climate sensitivity and feedbacks

• Climate radiative forcing: external and anthropogenic
• Equilibrium response to radiative forcing (i.e. Volcanic eruption)
• Equilibrium Climate sensitivity
• Feedbacks

12 Radiative time constant

• Dark side temperature
• Adiabatic and radiative lapse rate

13 Energy balance

• Global energy balance and Trenberth plot
• Cloud forcing and feedback
• Latitudinal mean distribution of radiative fluxes
• Mean energy balance at the surface

Readings/Bibliography

The lecture notes of each modules (in English) shall be available online.

The lecture notes also contain an extensive bibliography.

Atmospheric Science, an introductory survey. John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, second edition Academic Press 2006.

Teaching methods

The program content (6 ects) will be discussed by using both the blackboard and the video projector.

Simple problems will be solved during the classes (or suggested as homework) to facilitate the understanding of the theoretical part of the program.

 

Assessment methods

The assessment of the student's learnings is performed by an oral test which serves to evaluate the achievements of the main objectives of the course:

The test will cover the whole program. The student can start the test by discussing a selected topic. The oral test will last at about 45-55 minutes.

Teaching tools

The following items will be available to the Students:

* Lectures notes (in pdf format).

* Scientific articles useful for the investigation of specific lines of research.

* Software algorithms (in MATLAB) for the numerical solution of specific problems.

* Bibliography and references

 

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will identify and propose any appropriate accommodations for eligible students. Such accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their appropriateness, taking into account the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Tiziano Maestri

See the website of Natale Alberto Carrassi