Introduction to Meteorology

Instructor Introduction

• Dan Treiber: Meteorologist and Instructor
• Practicing meteorology since 2012
• Graduate from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Six years in the Air Force as a meteorologist
• Founder of Small Town Weather
• Passionate about sharing knowledge in aviation meteorology and other facets

Course Overview

• Focus on foundational meteorological concepts
• Importance of understanding the basics before advancing
• Expect to cover a lot of information quickly

Basic Principles of Weather

Key Concepts:

1. Sunshine and Earth’s Curvature

   • No weather without sunshine and a curved Earth
   • Different heating rates across the globe due to varying absorption and reflection

2. Ideal Gas Law

   • Relationship between pressure (P) and temperature (T)
   • Pressure and temperature are proportionate

3. Pressure Gradient Force

   • Temperature differences create pressure differences
   • Pressure gradient drives wind; wind carries weather conditions

High vs. Low Pressure

• High Pressure: Sinking air, clear skies
• Low Pressure: Rising air, cloud formation
• Air flows from high to low pressure horizontally and vertically
• Coriolis Effect: Deflection of wind due to Earth's rotation; right in the Northern Hemisphere, left in the Southern Hemisphere

Weather Fronts

Types of Fronts:

1. Warm Fronts

   • Brings warm, moist air from the south
   • Indicators: southerly winds, warmer and muggier conditions

2. Cold Fronts

   • Brings cold, dry air from the north
   • Indicators: northwesterly winds, noticeable temperature drop

3. Stationary Fronts

   • Form when air masses don't move
   • Indicators: significant change in temperature/moisture across the front

4. Occluded Fronts

   • Occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front
   • Common during severe winter weather (blizzards, nor’easters)

5. Dry Line

   • Separator of hot, dry desert air from warm, moist Gulf air
   • Common in Central Plains (Texas to South Dakota)

Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

• Troposphere: Most weather events occur here
• Stratosphere: Temperature increases with height
• Mesosphere and Thermosphere: Further layers with distinct temperature patterns
• Lapse Rates: Standard rate at which temperature decreases with altitude

Weather Stability

• Instability: Rapid cooling with height; leads to turbulent weather (e.g., thunderstorms)
• Stability: Slow cooling or warming with height; leads to calm weather (e.g., fog)
• Weather attempts to reach equilibrium, leading to atmospheric changes

Climate vs. Weather

• Climate Zones: Permanent characteristics (e.g., desert, mountain)
• Weather: Transient atmospheric conditions
• Example: Tornado Alley – convergence of different climate zones, causing turbulence

Meteorological Practices

• Meteorologists