Maricopa Community Colleges  GPH214   19932-99999 

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval:  4-28-1992

GPH214  1993 Spring – 2003 Fall

LAB  1.0 Credit(s)  3.0 Period(s)  2.4 Load  Acad

Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory I

Basic meteorological and climatological measurements.

Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: GPH212.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

GPH214  1993 Spring – 2003 Fall

Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory I

 

1.

Describe the basic geographic features of the earth's surface. (I)

2.

Examine the composition of the atmosphere and earth-Sun relations. (I)

3.

Examine the origin and role of energy in the earth-atmosphere system. (II)

4.

Examine temperature and humidity controls/phenomena. (II)

5.

Apply field techniques for temperature and humidity measurements. (II)

6.

Compare the relationships between vertical air motion, clouds, and precipitation. (III)

7.

Describe the processes associated with horizontal air motion and the general circulation of the atmosphere. (III)

8.

Examine the development of mid-latitude cyclones. (IV)

9.

Analyze components of tropical cyclones/hurricanes. (IV)

10.

Interpret weather maps and related forecasting techniques. (IV)

11.

Identify types/origins of climatic data and regimes. (V)

12.

Classify global climates. (V)

13.

Examine urban and applied climatology. (VI)

14.

Compare natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for climatic variability. (VII)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:

 

GPH214  1993 Spring – 2003 Fall

Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory I

 

I. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARTH SYSTEM

A. Earth's Surface

1. Geographic aspects

2. Grid system

3. Physiographic and political features

B. Atmospheric and Earth-Sun Relations

1. Atmospheric composition

a. Principal components

b. Vertical structure

c. Lapse rates

2. Earth-Sun Relationship

a. Orbital characteristics

b. Solar elevations and their implications

c. Time zones

II. ENERGY AND MOISTURE

A. Earth/Atmospheric System

1. Global net energy balance

2. Sources of energy

3. Forms of energy

4. Albedo of surfaces

B. Temperature and Humidity

1. Temperature characteristics

a. Conversions

b. Lapse rates

c. Global temperature variations

2. Humidity characteristics

a. Absolute/relative humidity

b. Relative humidity variability

c. Relative humidity measurement and comparison

3. Field work

a. Sling Psychrometer measurements

b. Relationships between temperature, pressure, and energy balance characteristics of various surfaces

III. ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION

A. Components of the General Circulation

1. Vertical air motion

a. Atmospheric pressure

b. High and low pressure systems

2. Cloud development

a. Cloud types and associated weather conditions

b. Cloud forming mechanisms

c. Geographic areas of development

d. Adiabatic lapse rates/stability/air pollution

3. Precipitation

a. Orographic processes precipitation

b. Droplet growth and precipitation development

4. Horizontal air motion

a. Pressure gradients

b. Coriolis force

c. Wind development

B. Operation of the General Circulation

1. Primary wind systems

a. Illustration/evaluation

b. Global pressure systems

c. Surface wind belts

2. Secondary/Tertiary wind systems

a. Monsoon circulations

b. Land/sea breeze circulations

IV. CYCLONIC STORMS

A. The Mid-Latitude Cyclone

1. Stages of cyclogenesis

a. Geographic points of origin

b. Air mass source regions and characteristics

c. Frontal development (cold, warm, occluded)

d. Cyclone motion

2. Meteorological characteristics

a. Precipitation origin/types

b. Pressure

c. Winds

3. Severe storm development

a. Thunderstorms

b. Mesocyclones

c. Tornados

B. The Tropical Cyclone (i.e. Hurricane, Typhoon)

1. Stages of development/structure

a. Tropical disturbance

b. Tropical depression

c. Tropical storm

d. Tropical cyclone

2. Meteorological characteristics

a. Moisture

b. Pressure

c. Winds

C. Weather Map Analysis

1. Weather station model

a. Origin of data

b. Plotting of station model

c. Interpretation of model

2. Forecasting

a. Locating weather systems/fronts

b. Predicting short-term weather changes

V. CLIMATE DATA AND CLASSIFICATION

A. Climatic Data

1. Calculations

a. Mean monthly temperatures

b. Temperature/precipitation normals

c. Temperature normals

2. Graphical plots

a. Temperature

b. Precipitation

B. Climate Classification

1. Koeppen system

2. Characteristics and global distribution of the 15 main climatic types

3. Controls causing these climates

VI. CLIMATOLOGY

A. Urban Climatology

1. Heat island effect

a. Factors for development

b. Analysis of magnitude

2. Air pollution

a. Atmospheric stability

b. Dispersal

B. Applied Climatology (Agricultural Implications)

1. Frost (advection and radiation)

a. Causes

b. Methods to prevent crop damage

2. Wind

a. Adverse effects on agriculture

b. Methods of modifying local climates

VII. CLIMATE VARIABILITY

A. Natural Variability

1. Vegetation changes

2. Volcanic eruptions

3. El Nino events

B. Potential Human Impacts

1. Global warning due to greenhouse gas increases

2. Role of deforestation

3. Desertification

 

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