Next Offering: Spring 2026

Tentatively MWF 11:30-ish, Geology Building 2nd floor

Textbook

In the past I have used "Weather Maps," 3rd Edition, by Peter Chaston, but the book is hopelessly out of print.  I have several copies -- if I have enough for everyone, I will loan them out to you (small deposit may be requested!).  If I don't have enough, we'll figure it out on the first day.

Some Early Reading Recommendations

[An updated set of these, for 2025-2026, is in development and I'll post those soon.]

Expected Assessment

• Homeworks, "Labs," Map Assignments, etc.: 45%
• Weather Briefings (2, beginning after spring break): 10%
• Weekly weather forecasts: 10%
• Midterm Exam, last class before Spring Break: 15%
• Final Exam, time and date from the official IU schedule: 20%

Expected Topics

For now, here is a tentative list of our course topics to whet your appetite:

• All-Star Soundings
• Winter weather forecasting
• Vorticity advection (link from archive.org; let me know if it breaks)
• Cyclogenesis: Petterssen-Sutcliffe Development
• Cyclogenesis: Quasi-geostrophic Development
• Jet streaks and more jet streaks
• Low-level jet and the thermal wind
• Severe weather forecasting