An Introduction to Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology

This textbook delves into synoptic meteorology and atmospheric dynamics, offering a comprehensive exploration of topics that are traditional atmospheric dynamics and those traditional to synoptic meteorology. It serves as a bridge between introductory meteorology at the freshman level and upper-division atmospheric dynamics and focuses on the underlying physics synoptic-scale phenomena. This book functions as a pivotal resource for sophomore-level students in meteorology/atmospheric science and advanced students and researchers pursuing degrees in atmospheric science. It is also useful in fields that involve the navigation of the intricacies of atmospheric science such as meteorologists and weather forecasters, climate scientists, environmental consultants, aviation professionals, hydrologists, oceanographers, energy sector experts and emergency management officials.

An Introduction to Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology offers a systematic exploration of synoptic meteorology, beginning with the basics of atmospheric pressure and atmospheric motion. From there it progresses into weather instrumentation and observation and the analysis of these observations and goes on to discuss surface fronts and fundamental and inertial atmospheric forces. The subsequent chapters focus on balance in synoptic-scale flow, upper-tropospheric jet streams, and troughs and ridges. Lastly, the concluding chapters address lower-Tropospheric Processes and Midlatitude Cyclones. This textbook contains supplementary resources in the form of a solutions manual and PowerPoint slides for instructors, and Python notebooks and worked examples for both students and instructors.

• Provides an overview of synoptic meteorology and atmospheric dynamics that is written at the sophomore undergraduate level
• Serves as a bridge between introductory meteorology at the freshman level and upper-division atmospheric dynamics
• Covers topics that are traditional to synoptic meteorology such as fronts, jets, troughs/ridges, cyclones, and synoptic map analysis in general as well as topics that are traditional to atmospheric dynamics such as atmospheric forces, elementary atmospheric dynamics, balanced flow, and vertical motion
• Includes solutions manual and PowerPoint slides for instructors, and Python notebooks and worked examples for both students and instructors