An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology / Edition 5

by James R. Holton, Gregory J. Hakim

Overview

This revised text presents a cogent explanation of the fundamentals of meteorology, and explains storm dynamics for weather-oriented meteorologists. It discusses climate dynamics and the implications posed for global change. The new edition features a companion website with MATLAB® exercises and updated treatments of several key topics. Much of the material is based on a two-term course for seniors majoring in atmospheric sciences.

KEY FEATURES

• Lead author Gregory J. Hakim, a major contributor to the 4th Edition, succeeds James Holton (deceased) on this 5th Edition
• Provides clear physical explanations of key dynamical principles
• Contains a wealth of illustrations to elucidate text and equations, plus end-of-chapter problems
• Instructor's Manual available to adopters

NEW IN THIS EDITION

• Substantial chapter updates, and integration of new research on climate change
• Content on the most recent developments in predictability, data assimilation, climate sensitivity, and generalized stability
• A fresh streamlined pedagogical approach to tropical meteorology, baroclinic development, and quasi-geostrophic theory
• Aspects of synoptic meteorology provide stronger linkage to observations
• Companion website includes MATLAB codes for plotting animated weather patterns; Problem sets and exercises; streaming video, illustrations and figures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780123848666
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/17/2012
Series:	International Geophysics , #88
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	552
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

James R. Holton was Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington until his death in 2004. A member of the National Academies of Science, during his career he was awarded every major honor available in the atmospheric sciences including AGU's Revelle Medal.

Gregory J. Hakim is Professor and Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences in the College of the Environment at the University of Washington. His research focuses on problems in climate reconstruction, predictability, data assimilation, atmospheric dynamics, and synoptic meteorology. He teaches courses in weather, atmospheric sciences, atmospheric structure and analysis, atmospheric motions, synoptic meteorology, balance dynamics, and weather predictability and data assimilation.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction
2 The Basic Conservation Laws
3 Elementary Applications of the Basic Equations
4 Circulation and Vorticity
5 The Planetary Boundary Layer
6 Synoptic Scale Motions I: Quasi-geostrophic Analysis
7 Atmospheric Oscillations: Linear Perturbation Theory
8 Extratropical Synoptic Scale Motions II: Baroclinic Instability
9 Mesoscale Circulations
10 The General Circulation
11 Tropical Dynamics
12 Middle Atmosphere Dynamics
13 Numerical Prediction Appendix A Useful Constants and Parameters Appendix B List of Symbols Appendix C Vector Analysis Appendix D Moisture Variables Appendix E Standard Atmosphere Data Appendix F Symmetric Baroclinic Oscillations Answers to Selected Problems
(Complete solutions manual available to instructors)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology is the top-selling textbook that introduces upper undergraduate and graduate-level students to the study of atmospheric behavior and dynamics impacted by weather and climate.

Editorial Reviews

A textbook for a two-term course in physical meteorology for seniors or first-year graduates. The emphasis is on physical principles rather than mathematical elegance. Updated from the previous editions (1972, 1979) with new treatments of tropical meteorology, middle atmosphere and mesoscale dynamics, global climate changes, and other topics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"The book is very clearly and well written...the author succeeds in presenting the fundamentals while providing a motivating discussion on the full scope of dynamic meteorology and its applications." —Jorg Matschullat, Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Center, in ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY, VOL. 49, MARCH 2006Praise for previous edition:"...reflects the full scope of modern dynamic meteorology, while providing a presentation of the fundamentals." —BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY

"The careful presentation of introductory material and clear discussion of dynamical principles make this an excellent basic account of dynamical meteorology." —JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS

From the Publisher