GEOG310

Weather Systems

15 points

Not offered 2021, offered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

For further information see School of Earth and Environment

Description

This course examines the processes responsible for day to day weather variations, and the operational techniques used in their analysis and forecasting. This includes both research and operational approaches to the study of synoptic scale weather systems and their impact. The processes studied include those that have an influence on the generation and decay of weather systems, but also those that affect the weather experienced in a local area, such as Canterbury. The emphasis is on factors important in short term weather changes, including stability/instability and atmospheric motion. These factors are studied in relation to air mass changes, as well as the effects of topography. Links between the general and synoptic scale atmospheric circulation are also studied, along with the effects of longer term change, such as the ENSO cycles.

Prerequisites

30 points of 200-level Geography, including GEOG201, or
in special cases with approval of the Head of Department.