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Key facts
| Type | Weekly Classes |
|---|---|
| Location | Reading |
| Address | Room 110 Building 22 London Road Campus Reading |
| Dates | Wed 24 Apr to Wed 26 Jun 2013 Day: Wednesday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10 |
| Subject area(s) | Biological Sciences |
| CATS points | 10 |
| Fees | From £145.00 |
| Application status | In progress - closed to new applications |
| Course code | R12P404BIW |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk. |
Overview
Weather affects the planning of our daily activities. It also inflicts damage on individuals and entire economies and societies. This course will explore the causes of severe weather and the processes involved in forecasting.Description
This course will give you the opportunity to understand the drivers of weather systems, what determines and influences the weather on a day to day basis, and experience at interpreting weather maps and making your own forecasts. We will begin by discussing Earth's weather machine, how the large-scale atmospheric circulation systems are generated and determine the distribution of climatic zones. Measurements of atmospheric conditions using conventional or satellite instruments are fundamental in understanding atmospheric physics and providing accurate initial conditions necessary for predicting the weather. We will discuss mid-latitude weather systems, clouds and climate change in detail before dealing with severe weather and finally discussing UK's distinct climate.Programme details
Week 1: Introduction to the course and current weather gameWeek 2: The weather machine: Earth’s energy balance and the greenhouse effect
Week 3: Fundamentals of weather and meteorological measurments
Week 4: Midlatitude weather systems
Week 5: Clouds
Week 6: Forecasting the Weather
Week 7: Climate Change
Week 8: Severe Weather I
Week 9: Severe Weather II
Week 10: UK Weather and Course Summary
Background Reading:
Reynolds, R. Cambridge Guide to Weather (Cambridge) £10 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cambridge-Guide-Weather-Ross-Reynolds/dp/0521774896
Inness, P. Teach Yourself Weather, £10 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teach-Yourself-Weather-Peter-Inness/dp/0340966416
Barry R. and Chorley, R. Atmosphere, weather and climate (Methuen)
Staff
Dr Richard Allan
Role: Tutor
Richard Allan works in the Meteorology Department at the University of Reading where he conducts research using satellite data to understand current...more
Course aims
Course Aims:To provide basic understanding of the Earth’s dynamic atmosphere and how this influences our weather.
Course Objectives:
1. To provide an appreciation and interest in the atmospheric physics controlling our weather patterns
2. To enable students to objectively interpret a weather forecast map
3. To provide background necessary to speak knowledgably about weather and climate, including related topics such as climate change.
Assessment methods
1) Worksheet on the global circulation, seasons, cloud formation and rainfall.2) Current Weather Game: Weather predictions for Reading and Europe each week.
3) Multiple choice quiz to aid understanding of the atmospheric circulation and processes involved in producing cloud and rain
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussion and group workVideos
Weather Forecast Game
Teaching outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to:1) Identify reasons for differences in weather patterns and climate across the globe and processes involved in the formation of cloud types and precipitation
2) Analyse and describe the current weather situation using forecast maps and develop a method to predict weather for Reading and at selected European cities
3) Discuss issues relating to weather and climate such as climate change.
Apply for this course
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.