Extreme Weather (ATM 126-01)
Spring 2014
M, W, F 10:00 – 10:50
Room R-101
Instructor: Joe Kravitz
Office Hours: M and W between 12:00 and 1:00 in H-221 or by appointment.
The best way to reach me is by e-mail: but I also can be reached by phone at 499 – 4660, ext. 4528
Course website:
Course Description:
A study of extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, drought, etc.) from a variety of perspectives. The course examines the atmospheric processes involved in the formation, evolution and destruction caused by these events as well as the human impact in the region affected. Historic cases and real-time events will be utilized to illustrate these processes and impacts. In addition, the possible effect of global warming on the number and severity of different extreme weather events will be studied. In particular, evidence will be examined to help determine if there has already been a change over the past century and whether further, perhaps more profound change is likely in the future. The physical basis for these proposed changes and possible impacts on human society will also be examined.
Course Objectives:
The objectives/goals are that upon completion of this course the students will: 1) understand the physical science governing extreme weather events; 2) be able to recognize and understand the potential impacts of these extreme events on the communities affected; 3) have an awareness of the scientific evidence assessing the likelihood of an increase in number and severity of these events in the future due to global warming; 4) understand the physical basis by which global warmingcould lead to a change in frequency and intensity of these events.
Prerequisites:
Skills prerequisite: ENG 020 and ENG 060
Core Competencies: CC - SK (Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning):
This core competency is “embedded” in the course and will be given, automatically, upon successful completion ofthe course with a grade of C or better.
Course Structure and Teaching Methods:
The first part of the course, fundamental atmospheric concepts, is critical for understanding the physical processes governing the extreme weather that will be subsequently discussed. The rest of the course is broken into separate sections for each type of extreme weather. In each section we will discuss the causes, behavior and impact of that type of extreme weather. Historical cases will be presented and discussed to illustrate these processes. Cases from varied geographical (global) locations will be chosen where possible. However, a relative emphasis will be placed upon events in the U.S., particularly the Northeast U.S. where applicable. Finally, for each type of extreme event, the possible impact of global warming on the frequency and intensity of that type of event will be presented and discussed. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 report, which is widely regarded as containing the most authoritative statements of scientific knowledge on climate change, will serve as the primary reference.
The course will be predominantly lecture based.However, portions of some classes will be utilized for observing and discussing extreme weather events in real-time as they occur during the term. There will be assigned reading for each class from the textbook (listed below), news and journal articles (historical cases and global warming impacts) and/or the IPCC 2007 report. In order that the student can focus more effectively in class, lecture note packets will be handed out and posted on thewebsite.
TENTATIVESchedule:
Jan. 22 – Feb.12 Fundamental Concepts:
Introduction to Climate and Global Warming
Atmospheric Composition
Climate/Global Warming (Chapter 5; Climate
Change book [Emanuel])
Introduction to Weather
Fundamental Weather Concepts (Chapter 1,
Chapter 2 pp. 20-30, 35-38)
Weather in Middle Latitudes (Chapters 7, 8 and 9)
Feb.14EXAM #1
Feb. 17No ClassPresident’s Day
Feb. 19 – Mar. 3Extreme Extratropical Cyclones (Blizzards and Ice Storms)
(Chapters 9 and 12)
Causes, Behavior and Impact
Historical Cases
1993 U.S. “Superstorm”
1998 Northeast North American Ice Storm
Impact of Global Warming
Mar5 – Mar 31 Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (Chapters 6, 18 and 19)
Causes, Behavior and Impacts
Historical Cases
1995 Great Barrington tornado
2007 Greensburg, KS tornado
Instructor’s storm chasing video (and other videos)
Impact of Global Warming
Mar 17 – 21 No ClassSpring Break
Apr 2 EXAM #2
Apr 9 – 23 Tropical Cyclones (Chapter 24)
Causes, Behavior and Impacts
Historical Cases
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
1970 & 1991 Bangladesh Cyclones
Impact of Global Warming
Apr 21No ClassPatriot’s Day
Apr 25 – May 7 Floods and Drought (Chapters 25 and 26)
Causes and Impacts
Historical Cases
Monsoon Floods (Southeast Asia)
North African Drought (1970 – present)
Impact of Global Warming
(May 12-16TBA)EXAM #3
Textbook and Other Resources:
Severe and Hazardous Weather: An Introduction to High Impact Meteorology,
4th ed.; Rauber, Walsh and Charlevoix; Kendall/Hunt Publishing 2012 (ISBN: 978-0-7575-5041-6) [Recommended textbook]
What We Know About Climate Change, 2nd ed., Emanuel; Boston Review/MIT
Press 2012 (ISBN: 978-0-262-01843-2) [Recommended]
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 and 2014 Report
Available online at:
Weblinks:Numerous weather and climate links are posted at the course
website..
Attendance Policy:
Lecture attendance is critical to ensure success and, therefore, mandatory. With a legitimate excuse a student may collect three excused absences. With additional excused absences, or if absences are not excused, the student may be subject to withdrawal from the course. All anticipated attendance problems should be discussed with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain missed materials or assignments from fellow students or the instructor.
Attendance at exams is mandatory. Failure to attend an exam will result in an automatic zero for that exam. To avoid this, it will be necessary to leave a phone or email message with your instructor as soon as you know that you are unable to attend theexam. You may be asked to provide documentation to justify your absence. Make up exams may be available,at the discretion of the instructor.
Assessment and Grading:
Exams (60%): There will be three non-cumulative exams of equal worth. Exams
will consist of approximately 50 multiple choice questions each. Exam questions will be taken directly from the material covered by the homework questions.
Homework Questions (40%): There will be six homework sets of approximately
30 – 40 short answer and fill in the blank questions. All of the answers to these questions can be found in the lecture note packets. The answers to these questions will be handed out on the due date for each homework (Exam questions will be taken from this material). Therefore, it is necessary to hand in homework by the due date. Failure to hand in the homework on the due date will result in an automatic grade of 50% for that homework.
1