Course: WX 201

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Course WX 201

• Meteorology for Pilots
• Meteorology The study of the processes of the
  atmosphere which lead to weather
• Weather The effects of the atmosphere on
  persons, places and things
• Instructor Henry Robinson

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• Textbooks
• Meteorology Today, 8th Edition Ahrens,
• The Winds of Flight - Free on www.lochlyn.org

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Grading

• Three Exams (20 points each total of 60 points)
• Each exam covers material since last exam. All
  exams have equal weight toward final grade.
• Homework 20 points total. 15 homework
  assignments.
• Term Paper (20 points)
• Final Exam (20 points optional)

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Term Paper

• Term paper should be 5-10 type typewritten pages
  on a weather related or meteorological topic.
  Emails accepted
• More information will be given in a later class
  on term paper requirements.

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Attendance

• Attendance will be recorded daily.
• Unexcused absences cannot be made up.
• You are all enrolled in the Dispatcher Program by
  default. You need to do some paperwork. The FAA
  requires 90 attendance for successful completion
• Obtain verified excused absences from Health
  Services (7917) or Student Services Office
  (6326).

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Homework

• Homework is due the class day after the chapter
  is discussed.
• Homework questions will be posted on BlackBoard
  in Word format. (See IT about obtaining MS Office
  software if you do not have access to Word and
  PowerPoint).
• Homework tests comprehension of materials
  presented in book.
• There will be no late homework accepted except
  for excused absences.

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Makeup Exams

• Make-up exams will not be given except for
  excused absences.

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Assistance

• Weather Lab (room 346) has computers and student
  tutors who will assist anyone needing help.
• Anyone having difficulties or with special needs
  that hinder your learning in class, see me about
  providing accommodations needed to overcome your
  difficulties.

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Office Hours/Contact Info

• I am here to help you learn. See me if your have
  questions or are having trouble.
• Office Hours TTh 1300-1400
• Office Location COA 355
• Phone [phone] but best by email
• E-mail henry.robinson_at_erau.edu and
  henry.robinson_at_his.com use WX-201 in subject

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Homework Assignments

• Read Chapter.
• Answer 15 homework questions as posted on
  Blackboard for each Chapter. Put your answers on
  the Scantron sheet provided.
• Be sure to put your name and chapter number on
  the Scantron sheet.
• Hand day after Chapter is covered in class.

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Composition of the Atmosphere

• WX 201
• Henry Robinson

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The Earth and Its Atmosphere

• Overview
• Vertical Structure
• Weather and Climate

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Atmosphere is a Gas

• Three states of matter solid, liquid, and gas
• Gas is made up of free molecules moving around.
• Composition of gases on earth (as compared to
  other planets) is a function of the planet size,
  planet plate tectonics, and life.

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Permanent Gases in the Earths Lower Atmosphere
Major Constituants Nitrogen (N2)    78.1 Oxygen
(O2)      20.9 99 of the atmosphere
Other permanent gases Argon (Ar)       
        0.9 Neon  (Ne)               0.002
Helium (He)              0.0005
Krypton (Xe)            0.0001
Hydrogen (H2)          0.00005
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Variable Gases in the Earths Lower Atmosphere
VARIABLE gases in the atmosphere are Water
vapor (H2O)     0 to 4 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
0.037 Methane(CH4)         0.00017 Ozone(O3)  
         0.000004 (the first three are
greenhouse gasses)
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Importance of the Gasses

• Permanent Gases O2 is good for breathing
• Meteorological importance
• Water Vapor
• Ozone
• Climatological importance
• Carbon Dioxide,
• Water Vapor
• Ozone

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Contribution to Warming

• Carbon Dioxide increase is correlated with
  warming. It is the primary Greenhouse gas.
• Warming means more evaporation and higher
  humidities.
• May also increase methane production.

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Measurements of CO2
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One early warning phenomena
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Problem is Solvable with Current Technology

• Dont waste energy
• Dont forget to lean!
• Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a
  compact fluorescent light bulb.
• Move your thermostat down 2 in winter and up 2
  in summer.
• Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air
  conditioner.
• See Climate Crisis web page for other things to
  do

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Early Atmosphere

• 5 Billion years ago when earth formed, atmosphere
  consisted of CO2, H2O, NH3 and CH4.
• Life formed O2 from H2O, CO2 and CH4. Detritus
  buried carbon in coal, oil and natural gas.
• Oceans dissolve CO2 slowly. Shells trap some CO2
  into limestone.

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Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
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Temperature
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Measurements Aloft

• Radiosondes only one which measures the
  atmosphere directly
• Satellite sounders
• Aircraft measurements (ASDAR)
• Radar
• GPS sounders (not yet operational)
• No good method for upper Stratosphere lower
  Ionosphere

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Radiosonde
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Barometer and Control Circuits
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Temperature and Humidity Sensors
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New Words

• Lapse Rate the change in temperature with
  height
• The average lapse rate of the Troposphere is
  about 6 degrees Celsius per kilometer or 3.6
  degrees Fahrenheit per 1000 feet
• Shear the change in wind with distance

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Radiosondes

• Expensive both in instrument costs which may be
  reconditioned and people costs.
• However they are the only calibrated, direct
  measurements of the atmosphere we have.
• Accuracy is sufficient /- 0.25 degrees Celsius.

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GPS and Radiosonde Data Locations
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Satellite Sounding SystemTemperature at 500 hPa
7/15/2006 1331-1656 Z
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Surface Weather Map
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Weather Maps

• ERAU
• ADDS
• Intellicast (WSI)

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Weather Statements

• Watches be aware of impending Wx
• Warnings Weather is happening
• Airmets Small Plane Watch
• Sigmets All Aircraft Watch

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• Meteorology The study of the processes of the
  atmosphere which lead to weather
• Weather The effects of the atmosphere on
  persons, places and things

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Summary

• Administrative topics
• Atmospheric constituents
• Climate
• Layers of the atmosphere
• Measuring tools for upper atmosphere
• Brief weather maps
• Watches and warnings