Ian N. James – författare

This book gives a coherent development of the current understanding of the fluid dynamics of the middle latitude atmosphere. It is primarily aimed at post-graduate and advanced undergraduate level students and does not assume any previous knowledge of fluid mechanics, meteorology or atmospheric science. The book will be an invaluable resource for any quantitative atmospheric scientist who wishes to increase their understanding of the subject. The importance of the rotation of the Earth and the stable stratification of its atmosphere, with their implications for the balance of larger-scale flows, is highlighted throughout.Clearly structured throughout, the first of three themes deals with the development of the basic equations for an atmosphere on a rotating, spherical planet and discusses scale analyses of these equations. The second theme explores the importance of rotation and introduces vorticity and potential vorticity, as well as turbulence. In the third theme, the concepts developed in the first two themes are used to give an understanding of balanced motion in real atmospheric phenomena. It starts with quasi-geostrophic theory and moves on to linear and nonlinear theories for mid-latitude weather systems and their fronts. The potential vorticity perspective on weather systems is highlighted with a discussion of the Rossby wave propagation and potential vorticity mixing covered in the final chapter.

This book gives a coherent development of the current understanding of the fluid dynamics of the middle latitude atmosphere. It is primarily aimed at post-graduate and advanced undergraduate level students and does not assume any previous knowledge of fluid mechanics, meteorology or atmospheric science. The book will be an invaluable resource for any quantitative atmospheric scientist who wishes to increase their understanding of the subject. The importance of the rotation of the Earth and the stable stratification of its atmosphere, with their implications for the balance of larger-scale flows, is highlighted throughout.Clearly structured throughout, the first of three themes deals with the development of the basic equations for an atmosphere on a rotating, spherical planet and discusses scale analyses of these equations. The second theme explores the importance of rotation and introduces vorticity and potential vorticity, as well as turbulence. In the third theme, the concepts developed in the first two themes are used to give an understanding of balanced motion in real atmospheric phenomena. It starts with quasi-geostrophic theory and moves on to linear and nonlinear theories for mid-latitude weather systems and their fronts. The potential vorticity perspective on weather systems is highlighted with a discussion of the Rossby wave propagation and potential vorticity mixing covered in the final chapter.

This much revised and expanded textbook offers readers a coherent, thorough understanding of midlatitude atmospheric dynamics. It is invaluable for advanced students and researchers in dynamical meteorology, geophysical fluid dynamics, and applied mathematics. The authors are some of the central players in the development of state-of-the-art research. This new edition links theory with observation using examples of real weather systems, informed by modern global data. It is structured around three themes which gradually build upon each other, so will appeal to both advanced readers and those with little prior knowledge. The first theme introduces the basics of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics; the second discusses the importance of rotation in the atmosphere; and the third explores the concept of balance to expand the discussion to more elaborate weather systems, using the 'PV thinking' conceptual framework. Sets of exercises accompany each chapter, with solutions available online.

This much revised and expanded textbook offers readers a coherent, thorough understanding of midlatitude atmospheric dynamics. It is invaluable for advanced students and researchers in dynamical meteorology, geophysical fluid dynamics, and applied mathematics. The authors are some of the central players in the development of state-of-the-art research. This new edition links theory with observation using examples of real weather systems, informed by modern global data. It is structured around three themes which gradually build upon each other, so will appeal to both advanced readers and those with little prior knowledge. The first theme introduces the basics of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics; the second discusses the importance of rotation in the atmosphere; and the third explores the concept of balance to expand the discussion to more elaborate weather systems, using the 'PV thinking' conceptual framework. Sets of exercises accompany each chapter, with solutions available online.

This book gives a coherent development of the current understanding of the fluid dynamics of the middle latitude atmosphere. It is primarily aimed at post-graduate and advanced undergraduate level students and does not assume any previous knowledge of fluid mechanics, meteorology or atmospheric science. The book will be an invaluable resource for any quantitative atmospheric scientist who wishes to increase their understanding of the subject. The importance of the rotation of the Earth and the stable stratification of its atmosphere, with their implications for the balance of larger-scale flows, is highlighted throughout.Clearly structured throughout, the first of three themes deals with the development of the basic equations for an atmosphere on a rotating, spherical planet and discusses scale analyses of these equations. The second theme explores the importance of rotation and introduces vorticity and potential vorticity, as well as turbulence. In the third theme, the concepts developed in the first two themes are used to give an understanding of balanced motion in real atmospheric phenomena. It starts with quasi-geostrophic theory and moves on to linear and nonlinear theories for mid-latitude weather systems and their fronts. The potential vorticity perspective on weather systems is highlighted with a discussion of the Rossby wave propagation and potential vorticity mixing covered in the final chapter.