Observing Meteorological Phenomena

S Y L L A B U S

A wide range of meteorological phenomena, observable with the naked eye, is presented in the lectures, but the specifics of each is not considered as important as the method that is employed to make sense of them. Consequently, the syllabus for the course contains more topics that can be covered in one semester. Choices are made during any particular course that are going to be of the greatest interest and use to the students at that time. For example, when presented during the fall, the physics of snow might be secondary to a discussion of steam fog. During the Winter semester, the reverse would be more appropriate.

---

Introduction Course description and objectives building a physical model: fallstreaks Perception: color, mental models, illusions, sky shape, moon illusion, crepuscular rays, Mach bands Basic clouds: equilibrium vapor pressure, 2 cloud-forming mechanisms: mixing, cooling Snow: in air (habit); on ground (metamorphism)

---

Dynamics (clouds are passive) Conservation of vorticity: vortex trails, snow drifts, meandering rivers Generation of vorticity: mountain waves, billows Stability of vortices: contrail dynamics & breakup

---

Clouds (clouds aren't passive) Stability: conditional, potential, latent Microphysics: equilibrium vapor pres, Köhler curves, haze, cloud drops, visibility of clouds Convective clouds: thermals, shear, cumulus, thunderstorms

---

Optics Scattering by molecules and dust: sky color, visibility single & multiple scatter, green thunderstorms Scattering by water drops: rainbows: primary, secondary, supernumerary coronae, glories, heiligenschein, sylvanshine Scattering by ice crystals: 22 & 46 degree haloes, parhelia, tangential arcs, subsun, pillar, other arcs Atmospheric refraction mirages, green flash, solar distortions

---

Miscellaneous Patterns produced by: radiation, conduction, melting, thermophoresis

---

---

abf1@psu.edu