An introduction to instrumentation used in monitoring the state of the atmosphere; a brief survey of methods of analysis of meteorological data. [2-2-0]
Prerequisite: One of EOSC 211, CPSC 111 and one of ATSC 201, GEOB 200.
This course focuses on in-situ weather instruments.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
• use traditional and electronic weather instruments
• use and program modern data loggers
• explain how weather instruments work and describe their accuracy
• design and implement measurement strategies
• analyze data, including error propagation
Prof. Roland Stull, and Dr. Rosie Howard
Required Readings From:
"Meteorological Measurement Systems"
by Fred V. Brock and Scott J. Richardson
• ISBN-10: 0195134516
• ISBN-13: 978-0195134513
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (Jan 15 2001)
Every chapter except one of the Chapters will be assigned readings.
Students with UBC internet addresses can also access a free online version of the textbook.
Online CIMO (WMO-8) Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation.
Lecture Topics
| Week | Topic | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overview | 1, Appendix A |
| 2 | Thermometry | 4, Appendix D and B |
| 3 | Data Loggers, Sampling, and analog-to-Digital Conversion | 13, Appendix C |
| 4 | Barometry | 2 |
| 5 | Static Performance Characteristics of Instruments | 3 |
| 6 | Hygrometry | 5 |
| 7 | Dynamic Performance Characteristics of Instruments | 6 |
| 8 | Anemometry | 7 |
| 9 | Precipitation Rate | 9 |
| 10 | Solar and Earth Radiation | 10 |
| 11 | Visibility and Cloud Height | 11 |
| 12 | Upper Air Measurements | 12 |
| 13 | Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes | Review and Catch-up |