General circulation of the atmosphere

Lectures

Each topic is accompanied by readings from the notes and other resources. There will be a problem set roughly every fortnight.

Topic 1: Overview & tools

Learning outcomes

1. Define what is meant by the term “general circulation”.
2. Describe the basic thermal and dynamic structure of the atmosphere and its seasonal variations.
3. List the equations required to solve for the large-scale atmospheric flow and describe the physical principles they are based upon.
4. Distinguish the Lagrangian and Eulerian perspectives and mathematically describe the conversion between them.
5. Explain why additional forces arise in rotating reference frames and describe each of them.
6. Manipulate the equations when written in spherical coordinates and when using pressure as a vertical coordinate

Background reading

• Lorenz, E. (1983), A history of prevailing ideas about the general circulation of the atmosphere, Bull. Amer. Met. Soc., 64, 730-769.

Lectures

• 2nd March: Introduction & overview of the general circulation
  • Chapter 1 of the class notes
  • Slides
• 85th March: The governing equations
  • Section 2.1 of the class notes
  • Handwritten notes