Mid-latitude frontal cyclones gain energy from temperature gradients rather than latent heat release as is the case with convective storms. They form in the belt of westerly winds and therefore generally move west to east in both the northern and southern hemispheres. A mid-latitude frontal cyclone develops from a kink in the polar front, and eventually warm and cold fronts develop around a low pressure center to form the storm. An example of this type of storm is a nor’easter, which commonly occurs in New England and is named for the northeasterly winds that precede the storm’s arrival. Weather forecasting is also discussed.

1. Introduction to Atmospheres
2. Retaining an Atmosphere
3. The Perfect Gas Law
4. Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere; Residence Time
5. Earth Systems Analysis (Tank Experiment)
6. Greenhouse Effect, Habitability
7. Hydrostatic Balance
8. Horizontal Transport
9. Water in the Atmosphere I
10. Water in the Atmosphere II
11. Clouds and Precipitation (Cloud Chamber Experiment)
12. Circulation of the Atmosphere (Exam I review)
13. Global Climate and the Coriolis Force
14. Coriolis Force and Storms
15. Convective Storms
16. Frontal Cyclones
17. Seasons and Climate
18. Seasons and Climate Classification
19. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
20. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
21. Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing
22. Ocean Currents
23. Ocean Currents and Productivity
24. El Niño
25. Ice in the Climate System
26. Ice and Climate Change
27. Isotope Evidence for Climate Change
28. Global Warming
29. Global Warming II
30. Global Warming III
31. Climate Sensitivity and Human Population
32. The Two Ozone Problems
33. The Ozone Layer
34. Energy Resources, Renewable Energy
35. Renewable Energy
36. Review and Overview
37. Lab - Quinnipiac River Field Trip

This course explores the physical processes that control Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and climate. Quantitative methods for constructing mass and energy budgets. Topics include clouds, rain, severe storms, regional climate, the ozone layer, air pollution, ocean currents and productivity, the seasons, El Niño, the history of Earth's climate, global warming, energy, and water resources.