ATM/MPO/OCE 536/636: Hurricanes (Graduate-level and Senior undergraduate-level)
Taught every other Spring Semester at RSMAS.
Course Description
This course is intended to provide a broad overview of tropical cyclones, starting from the basic structure, dynamics and thermodynamics, then expanding through to observations, modeling, forecasting and impacts.
Learning Objectives
- To develop an in-depth understanding of the fundamental dynamics and thermodynamics of tropical cyclones
- To develop critical thinking of state-of-the-science concepts on tropical cyclone formation, motion, and structure and intensity change
- To learn of the forecasting process and tools, and the human dimension
Prerequisites
- Graduate Students: Introduction to Atmospheric Science (ATM/MPO 651), or by permission of instructor.
- Undergraduate Students: ATM 305, 405, and 406 with permission of instructor.
Course Structure
- Homework: Mapping the tropical atmosphere; Dynamics; Thermodynamics
- Reading assignments and paper critiques
- One closed book mid-term exam. (No final exam)
- Projects on an individual topic that each student proposes. There will be presentations of each project in the last class, followed by a final report.
Reading Material
There is no official textbook for the course. Reading materials will include:
- Emanuel, K. A.: The Divine Wind. – recommended as a “coffee-table” book.
- Selected scientific papers – will be provided in class and uploaded to Blackboard.
- Reports from the WMO International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones (IWTC).
Course Topics
- Structure and Climatology of the Tropical Atmosphere and Hurricanes
- Dynamics and Thermodynamics: topics include Primary and Secondary circulations, Vortex motion, Convection, Carnot Heat Engine, Inner and outer structure, Response to wind shear, Trough interactions, Energetics, Response to heat and momentum sources
- Precipitation and microphysics.
- Components of the life cycle: Genesis, motion, structure and intensity change, air-sea interaction, extratropical transition and decay
- Large-Scale Oscillations; influence of Madden-Julian Oscillation, Kelvin Waves
- Observations: Satellites; Aircraft (Doppler Radar, SFMR, dropwindsondes)
- Modeling and Data Assimilation
- Forecasting: Analysis techniques; Uncertainty; Verification
- Impacts: Storm surge; wind and precipitation hazards
- Vulnerability and risk – the human dimension: communication; preparation and complexities in decision-making; economic and infrastructure impacts
- Present-day challenges in research and forecasting
