GEOG 412: Synoptic Meteorology:
Extreme Weather Events: the Ingredients and Recipes for Making Them
Spring 2013
2-315pm Room 206 Dey Hall
C. E. Konrad
305 Saunders Hall
E-mail: konrad@unc.edu
Office Hours: 1-2pm TTh or by appointment
Course Description
Extreme weather events are investigated with much attention again to the larger scale atmospheric
systems (e.g. wave cyclones, squall lines, supercell thunderstorms) that support their development and
sustenance. The ingredients and recipes responsible for their production of extreme weather events are
explored. The ingredients refer to the suite of physical conditions that are brought together in spacetime by the system to produce the extreme weather. The recipes, in turn, describe the different ways
in which the ingredients can be brought together in space and time to spawn the extreme weather.
o
In the first two quarters of the course, the processes and atmospheric patterns that produce
extreme weather are described along with the conceptual model of weather entities as living
systems. These are applied to weather entities that produce extreme cold air outbreaks, ice storms,
snowstorms and high winds. The processes and patterns in the cool season extra-tropical
atmosphere are described first, followed by an examination of the cyclonic and anti-cyclonic
systems that bring together the ingredients for extreme weather.
o
In the third quarter of the course, severe thunderstorms, very heavy rainfall, and tornadoes are
examined with a focus on the supporting meso-scale patterns and processes. Particular attention is
given to meso-scale convective systems and how larger scale cyclonic systems assemble the
ingredients to produce and maintain these entities.
o
In the last quarter of the course, heat waves and drought are examined and tied to larger scale,
persistent anticyclonic systems that support their development. Tropical cyclonic systems (i.e.
hurricanes) are investigated as well with a focus on the factors that control their strength and
movement.

Climatologies of each event type are described, specifically when and how frequently they occur.
Also, changes in the frequencies of these extreme events are related to global climate change.

The first 5 to 10 minutes of class are used to describe what is going on with the weather both locally
and nationally. A wide variety of web-based weather products (e.g. weather observations & maps,
satellite imagery) are described and used to provide a spatial perspective on how the ingredients
come together to produce extreme weather.
This wide breath of material in this course is treated in a largely conceptual manner with a minimal
amount of time devoted to the underlying mathematics. A diagrammatical-spatial approach will be
used in lecture whereby processes and their interactions in the atmosphere will be described using
numerous maps and conceptual diagrams. Because of the breath and complexity of the lecture
material you will need to spend time outside class learning the nomenclature, coming to grips with
concepts, and linking these concepts together to build conceptual models of the atmosphere. Although
attendance will not be taken, you are expected to show up for class prepared to discuss to the lecture
material. Finally you are expected to observe the weather during the semester and participate in
discussions.
Weather Quizzes
A weather quiz will be posted on Sakai most Wednesdays of the week (beginning on 1/23). The quiz will
consist of 20- 30 questions that address key concepts and weather patterns revealed from various maps
and charts. This is an open book quiz that you will be able to take two times. You will receive online
feedback re: the questions you missed upon completing it the first time. The quiz must be taken
between Wednesday and midnight on the following Sunday.
Weather Notebook.
Details will be provided.
Course Materials
Lectures will be the primary source of material for the course. Lecture outlines with maps & figures
(PDF and Power Point format) will be made available in the Resources folder in Sakai. Please note that
these are merely outlines; you will need to come to class and write the lecture notes.
There is no required text for this course; however, web links to supplementary lecture material will be
provided. In addition various material will be made available on Sakai.
While the background material for this course is largely provided in geog 110 and 111, it will be helpful
to reference an introductory level textbook regarding basic atmospheric concepts and first principles.
Power Point lecture outlines will be provided on Sakai.
Prerequisite
Geography 110 or 111 or permission from the instructor
Grading
Test 1
Test 2
Quizzes
Weather Notebook
Final (comprehensive)
20 %
20 %
20 %
20 %
20 %
_______
100%
Syllabus
1. Introduction
2. Heat and radiation
3. Pressure and height
4. Circulation systems
5. Circulation attributes
6. Extreme cold air outbreaks
7. Atmospheric moisture
8. Atmospheric stability
9. Wave cyclones
10. Extreme winter weather events
11. Windstorms
12. Severe thunderstorms
13. Tornadoes
14. Tropical Cyclones
15. Droughts
16. Past trends & future projections in extreme weather across the Southeast U.S.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all class meetings and participate in all activities in
lecture and studio meetings. Excused absences can be granted only by the lead instructor or the studio
coordinator, one of whom must be informed in advance of the date of the absence except in cases of
sudden illness or other emergency.
Honor Code Policy: The Honor code and the Campus Code, embodying the ideals of academic honesty,
integrity and responsible citizenship, have for over 100 years governed the performance of all academic
work and student conduct at the University. Acceptance by a student of enrollment in the University
presupposes a commitment to the principles embodied in these codes and a respect for this significant
University tradition. Your participation in this course is with the expectation that your work will be
completed in full observance of the Honor Code.
Academic dishonesty in any form is unacceptable, because any breach in academic integrity, however
small, strikes destructively at the University's life and work. If you have any questions about the
Honor Code, please consult with someone in the Office of the Student Attorney General or the
Office of the Dean of Students.
Students are expected to abide by the Honor Code in all classroom activities. Collaboration is explicitly
allowed on assignments that are designated as group submissions. Discussion with other students prior
to submitting an individual answer is also permitted on personal response activities in lecture and on
homework exercises, as described above. All other graded assignments (warm-ups, individual studio
assignments, quizzes and exams) must be submitted without any aid not explicitly authorized by the
instructors.