Meteorology

Teacher(s)

Crucifix Michel; Fichefet Thierry;

Language

French

Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.

Main themes

General characteristics of the atmosphere; thermodynamics of dry air and moist air; static stability of the atmosphere; atmospheric dynamics; atmospheric heat gains and losses; large-scale atmospheric mean flows; air masses, fronts and synoptic weather systems; weather forecasting; regional climatic processes; climate changes.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	To acquire the basic notions of meteorology needed to understand the main atmospheric phenomena and weather forecasting as well as some additional training in climatology.

Content

1. The atmosphere
2. Thermodynamics of dry air
3. Thermodynamics of moist air and saturated air
4. Condensation processes
5. The vertical equilibrium in the atmosphere
6. Reminders and complementary notions of mechanics
7. The wind
8. Heat inputs in the atmopshere
9. The general circulation of the atmosphere
10. Air masses and their evolution
11. Weather systems

These subjects are of major interest in understanding the issues surrounding sustainable development.

Teaching methods

Theoretical lectures in classroom. Tutored practicals. Commented visit of the Wing Meteo of the Belgian Air Force (Beauvechain). Homework (mandatory): analysis of a particular meteorological situation.

Evaluation methods

Oral exam with written preparation (75% of the final mark). Homework (25% of the final mark). This second part of the mark will be used for each session and cannot be updated. In case of force majeure, the modalities of teaching and examination will be reassessed according to the situation and the rules in force.

Online resources

The slides projected during the lectures are available on MoodleUCLouvain.

Bibliography

Gordon, A., W. Grace, P. Schwerdtfeger and R. Byron-Scott, 1998: Dynamic Meteorology: A Basic Course. Arnold, LOndon, U.K., 325 pp.
Malardel, S., 2005 : Fondamentaux de Météorologie. Cépaduès éditions, Toulouse, France, 708 pp.

Teaching materials

• Triplet, J.P. et G. Roche, 1986: Météorologie Générale. Ecole Nationale de la Météorologie, Météo-France, Toulouse, 317 pp.

Faculty or entity

> GEOG