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: jkravitz@berkshirecc.edu but I also can
be reached by phone at 499 – 4660, ext. 4528
Course website: http://blogs.berkshirecc.edu/meteorology/extreme-weather/
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 warming could 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 of the 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
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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 the website.
TENTATIVE Schedule:
Jan. 22 – Feb. 12
Feb. 14
Feb. 17
Feb. 19 – Mar. 3
Mar 5 – Mar 31
Mar 17 – 21
Apr 2
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)
EXAM #1
No Class
President’s Day
Extreme 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
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
No Class
Spring Break
EXAM #2
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Apr 9 – 23
Apr 21
Apr 25 – May 7
(May 12-16 TBA)
Tropical Cyclones (Chapter 24)
Causes, Behavior and Impacts
Historical Cases
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
1970 & 1991 Bangladesh Cyclones
Impact of Global Warming
No Class
Patriot’s Day
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
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: http://www.ipcc.ch
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 the
exam. You may be asked to provide documentation to justify your absence. Make up
exams may be available, at the discretion of the instructor.
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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.
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