Course Title

Atmospheric Modelling

Course Code

SDS 426 / ES 416

Course Type

Elective

Level

Postgraduate 

Year / Semester

1^st and 2^nd Semester

Instructor’s Name

Assoc. Prof. Theodoros Christoudias (Lead Instructor), Assoc. Prof. Panos Hadjinicolaou, Dr Andreas Pozzer

ECTS

5

Lectures / week

Laboratories / week

None

Course Purpose and Objectives

The numerical methods, formulation and parameterizations used in models of the circulation of the atmosphere will be described in detail. Widely used numerical methods will be the focus but we will also review emerging concepts and new methods. The numerics underlying a hierarchy of models will be discussed, ranging from simple box models to numerical weather prediction models and high-end GCMs with atmospheric chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to: apply atmospheric models currently used in research, meteorological and air quality institutes and consultancies; address how modelling can assist in understanding societal relevant environmental problems e.g. extreme weather, wind, energy or air quality; design numerical experiments related to specific research questions; explain and discuss the principles and theory of atmospheric models from local to regional scales; assess the potential applications of these models and their limitations; apply these models in real working situations to understand and interpret meteorological and air quality phenomena; evaluate model performance by comparison of model results with observations or other models; present model results and their analysis, related to concrete research questions. The students learn how to operate models and process model output through the practical assignments.

Prerequisites

ES 403, ES 408 (for ES MAS track)

Course Content

W1: The Governing Equations

W2: Physical Process Parameterisations

W3: Operational Numerical Weather Prediction

W4: Ensemble Methods, Initialisation & Data Assimilation

W5: Atmospheric Chemistry Modelling

W6: Earth System Modelling

W7: Climate modelling from global to local

Teaching Methodology

Lectures. Seminars. Case studies. Literature Reviews. Project.

Bibliography

• “Numerical Weather and Climate Prediction”, Thomas Tomkins Warner, 2010, Cambridge University Press
• "Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modelling", Jacobson 2005, Cambridge University Press
• "Atmospheric Modelling, Data Assimilation and Predictability", Eugenia Kalnay, Cambridge University Press
• “Parameterization Schemes: Keys to Understanding Numerical Weather Prediction Models”, David J. Stensrud, 2007, Cambridge University Press.

Assessment

Coursework and final project 

Language

English