NWS-COMET

Hydrometeorology Course
23 February 9 March 2000

Meteorology Primer
Presented by: Pete Stamus
Wed-Thurs, 23-24 February 2000
Hydromet 00-2

Peter A. Stamus

Research Associate - Senior Meteorologist

CSU/Cooperative Institute for Research in

the Atmosphere (CIRA)
and
Colorado Research Associates (CORA)
303-415-9701 x224
303-415-9702 (fax)

stamus@co-ra.com
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Purpose of the primer

Basic understanding of meteorological
processes.
Starting point for the rest of Hydromet
To give you a semester-long Introduction
to Meteorology course in 8 hours.

Atmosphere Structure
Fun facts
Standard atmosphere
Very long term average for mid-latitudes
Average surface pressure 1013 mb
Average surface temperature 59 oF

1/2 of the mass of the atmosphere (500 mb)

below 6 km (3.7 miles)

Atmosphere Structure
Fun facts
Lapse rate (decrease in temperature in the vertical)
Troposphere:

+15 oC (at sfc) to ~ -50 oC (at 10 km)

-6.5 oC / km

Water vapor in the atmosphere

The most important parameter we attempt to
measure and forecast.
Clouds
Precipitation
Energy Transfer

Evaporation and Condensation

Evaporation and Condensation

Evaporation
Fast molecules escape, slower remain
cooling process

Condensation
Slower molecules collide, form droplets,
droplets fall, faster molecules remain
warming process
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Evaporation and Condensation (cont.)

The Evaporation/Condensation process

transfers heat energy to the atmosphere
Latent Heat of Condensation

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Evaporation and Condensation (cont.)

Fun facts
Wind enhances evaporation
Warm water evaporates faster than cool water
Air temperature affects evaporation rate
Cool air, slower molecules, condensation more likely,
slows evaporation

Warm air can hold more water vapor before

saturation than cold air
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Saturation Vapor Pressure

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Relative Humidity and Dew Point

Parcel B

Parcel A

Pressure at 1000 mb

T = 10 oC (50 oF)
e = 12.3 mb
es = 12.3 mb
RH = (e / es) x 100 = 100%

T = 20 oC (68 oF)
e = 12.3 mb
es = 23.7 mb
RH = (e / es) x 100 = 52%

Therefore: Td = 10 oC for Parcel B

Dew point = Temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure
to reach saturation. It is a measure of the airs actual water vapor content.
Relative Humidity is a measure of the degree of saturation of the air.

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Energy Budget
Incoming solar
Emitted long-wave
Transfer with latitude
Long-term balance

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Energy Transfer with latitude

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Daily and Seasonal Energy Balance

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Lab 1
Basic Surface Features/Moisture

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Atmospheric Pressure
Pressure = total weight of air above
Air is compressible, so gravity concentrates most
air molecules near the surface
Atm pressure decreases with height
rising air cools, sinking air warms
Greatest pressure variation in vertical, but smaller
horizontal variations produce winds and weather
systems
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Pressure and terrain

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Pressure and volume

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Pressure and volume (cont.)

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Typical 500 mb map

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Lab 2
3-D Atmospheric Structure

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Wind
Differential heating of land/ocean leads to
pressure differences in the atmosphere
Pressure differences are forces that lead to
atmospheric motions

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Wind (cont.)
Newtons Laws of Motion
First Law:
Objects at rest remain at rest and objects in motion remain in motion,
provided no force acts on the object

Second Law:
Force equals mass times the acceleration produced
F = ma

To determine wind direction and speed, need to know the

forces that affect horizontal movement of the air

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Wind (cont.)
Forces that lead to the wind
pressure gradient force (PGF)
Coriolis force (C)
centripetal force (c)
gravity (g) -- doesnt effect horizontal motions
friction (F)

Net Force = PGF + C + c + g + F

If these forces add to zero, then

(1) The air remains at rest; or,
(2) The air remains in motion along a straight path at a
constant speed
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Wind (cont.)
pressure gradient force (PGF)
Moves air from higher pressure to lower pressure

Coriolis force (C)

Apparent force due to the Earths rotation
Acts to turn wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere

centripetal force (c)

Inward directed, keeps parcels rotating around pressure centers

gravity (g)
Always acts downward; vertical motions only

friction (F)
Acts opposite to the direction of motion; retards motion

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Typical Flow

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Idealized surface flow

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Lab 3
Wind

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