MT3DWS: Dynamics of Weather Systems

Module code: MT3DWS

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor John Methven , email: j.methven@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Andy Turner, email: a.g.turner@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MT2AOD OR TAKE MT24A OR TAKE MT2AODNU OR TAKE MT24ANU (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Learn about underpinning physics explaining why weather systems exist, how they develop and generate high impact weather around the world.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Build up theory of weather system dynamics from the first principles of fluid dynamics
2. Examine observed weather system evolution and explain it using dynamics
3. Apply physics-based process understanding to atmospheric phenomena, including cyclones and large-scale waves in the mid-latitudes and tropics

Module content

Topic 1: Observed structure and behaviour of the atmosphere

Topic 2: Balance in the extratropics and quasi-geostrophic theory

Topic 3: Potential vorticity, Rossby waves and shear instability

Topic 4: Extratropical cyclone dynamics and diagnosing vertical motion

Topic 5: Stability in a moist atmosphere, convection, precipitation and effects of heating on dynamics

Topic 6: Balance in the tropics on large scales, equatorial waves and African easterly waves

Topic 7: Mid-latitude fronts, ageostrophic circulations and semi-geostrophic theory

Topic 8: Tropical cyclone dynamics and intensification processes

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Topic 1 will introduce key atmospheric phenomena in the mid-latitudes and tropics. Students will work in small groups to discuss the phenomena and how the knowledge they have already can explain the observed structures and their evolution. Also reflecting on what they cannot explain.

Topics 2, 3 and 4 will be delivered using lectures and focus on acquisition of new knowledge relating to quasi-geostrophic theory and the dynamics of extratropical weather systems. They will put the theory into practice by solving problems with help from problems classes.

Coupled with this, and lagging behind the lectures, the students will focus on case studies in the synoptic lab, using the theory from topics 3 and 4 to analyse the dynamics in real cases with a focus on production of weather forecasts.

Topic 5 will combine delivery of lectures (acquisition) with tropical tephigram analysis as a way of understanding moist convective stability and instability through reflecting on observed profiles.

Topic 6 will use a flipped classroom approach. There will be a video which focuses on what they know already about balance dynamics and convection and how those topics are combined in tropical dynamics, viewed before class. Students will work in small groups to examine cases where large-scale tropical waves are coupled with deep convection, describe how fields are related and use literature to propose explanations for the observed behaviour.

Topic 7 takes the next step in complexity delivered using lectures with a focus on acquisition of new knowledge related to semi-geostrophic theory. They will put the theory into practice by solving problems with help from problems classes.

Topic 8 on tropical cyclones centres on enquiry through exami