Mesoscale Meteorology
AGRON/MTEOR 407/507
Spring 2001


Class meetings (Room 2020 Agron): Tuesday and Thursday, 12:40-2:00 pm
Instructor: Raymond Arritt
Office: 3009 Agronomy
Phone: 294-9870
email: rwarritt@iastate.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 3-4 pm or by prior arrangement

Course Objectives

The main objective of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of mesoscale meteorology and the dynamics governing it. In particular, the course will emphasize differences and interactions among mesoscale, synoptic and convective processes, and discuss requirements for observing, analyzing and forecasting mesoscale systems.

Texts

407/507 Course Notes ``Mesoscale Meteorology" (available in University bookstore). Supporting material can be found in the following texts, as well as various journal articles:

"Mesoscale Meteorology and Forecasting", Ray, P. (1986) [on reserve in library]
"Storm and Cloud Dynamics" by Cotton, W. R. and R. A. Anthes (1989)
"Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling"" by Pielke, R. A. (1984)

Course Topics

Grading and Course Assignments

Option A
Research Project
Option B
Review Paper
25% Midterm exam
30% Midterm exam
25% Final exam
35% Final exam
50% Semester project
35% Semester project

Students who are auditing the course will not receive a grade but must participate fully in the course, including all assignments except the semester project and exam. The tentative date of the midterm is Tuesday, March 27. The final exam schedule in the ISU schedule of classes indicates that the final exam time is "to be announced by instructor." We will discuss this toward the end of the semester.

Semester Project

Each student (except those auditing) must complete a semester project and present its results both orally and in writing. Two options are available:

In both options your project must be within the general subject of mesoscale meteorology, and should be chosen to suit your individual interests. The following checkpoints will be established to assist in timely completion of your project:

Project proposal: This is a concise statement of the nature and importance of the topic to be addressed. A review of previous literature in the topic must be included. Graduate students and others doing original research must include a statement of specific research techniques to be used. Due date: Thursday, January 25.

Progress report / first draft: For those in Option A this will take the form of a progress report. For Option B, this should be a more formal first draft. Due date: Tuesday, April 3.

Written project report and web version: A clear and concise summary of the project, in a format similar to an American Meteorological Society journal paper, is due Friday, April 20. Reports may not exceed 25 double-spaced pages, plus figures and references. Along with your written project report please supply a HTML version, which will be posted to the course web page.

Oral presentation: Near the end of the course, we will hold a "mini-conference" with a format similar to an American Meteorological Society conference. You will have about 15 minutes to present your results, with a few minutes for discussion. This conference will be open to attendance by other faculty and students.

Keys to Success