Syllabus Posted 8/27/2012

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Homework

Homework #1 Due Wed 9/5, before class

Homework #2 Due Mon 9/24, before class
Answer: T = 8.45°C

Homework #3 Due Mon 11/19, before class

Data for HW3: 
The following are 4-times daily NCEP/DOE Reanalysis II data, first downloaded
from NOAA ESRL/PSD website, then truncated so each file contains only one day
of data for January 1, 2012 (i.e, four point in time for 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z
for that day). All data are in netCDF format.

temperature 
     header for temperature 
geopotential height 
     header for geopotential height 
u-velocity 
     header for u-velocity 
v-velocity 
     header for v-velocity 
surface pressure 
     header for surface pressure 
topography 
     header for topography 

For reference only:
mean sea level pressure 
     header for mean sea level pressure 
omega vertical velocity 
     header for omega vertical velocity 

A quick guide of using Matlab to read netCDF data:
matlab-netcdf guide 
A data file (long-term mean CMAP precipitation data) used in the guide:
data file 

Tips on unpacking the data:
The data in the netCDF files are compressed. To unpack them, use the simple formula: 

    (Actual value) = (Compressed value)*scale_factor + add_offset.

The two parameters, scale_factor and add_offset, are given in the header and are
different for different variables. For example, for temperature the two parameters
are 0.01 and 465.15. Thus, a compressed value of -21335 can be converted to the
actual value by

    (Actual value) = (-21335)*(0.01) + 465.15 = 251.8 °K 

Homework #4 Due Mon 11/19, before class

Homework #5 Due Wed 10/31, before class

Homework #6 Due Mon 12/10 , before class
Useful notes

Further update: 1982-83 SST file added. 
Detail here

Just for reference:
Climatological SST ("normal condition")

SST for July 1982 - June 1983

SST anomaly for July 1982 - June 1983

Homework #7 Due Mon 12/10 , before class

The due dates for HW3,4,6, and 7 are for the bonus homework. You must submit
the solutions by the deadline to receive bonus points.

Preliminary report for the final project is due Wed 11/28, before class.
The report will not be graded but instructor will provide feedback. 
Submission of the preliminary report is mandatory. You cannot change the topic 
of the final report after 11/28.

Individual computer accounts will be created for those who choose HW6 or HW7 
for the final project. 

Homework #8 Due Fri 12/14 (same time as the final report)
For item (C), "evaporation of snow" should read "sublimation of snow"

Final report is due Fri 12/14, will be collected at instructor's office (ERC 359) from 1-5 PM

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Supplementary material

Hydrostatic balance

Potential temperature

Potential temperature and static stability

Convection and buoyancy oscillation

Adiabatic lapse rate and static stability

Coriolis effect

Governing equations in rotating coordinate

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Useful links

National Weather Service Phoenix Office

National Weather Service satellite images

National Climate Data Center (NCDC)

NCDC meteorological station locator/map

NOAA ESRL PSD

AZMET

NCEP Environmental Modeling Center

European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF)

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Matlab

Basic examples for Matlab

Very basic Matlab setup guide for ASU users

Update: In p.3, the version R2009b is out of date. 
Use R2011a instead.