Climate Dynamics 753

The General Circulation of the Atmosphere

George Mason University

DJF kinetic energy [2-6 day time scales] 250hPa	Heating in Θ [isentropic] Coord.	Circulation at 200 hPa ψ and χ

Figures Courtesy of European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts
Kallbert, P. P. Berrisfort, B. Hoskins, A. Simmons, S. Uppala, S. Lamy-Thepaut and R. Hine, 2005. ERA-40 Atlas. ERA-40 Project Report Series No. 19

Course Syllabus Fall 2026

http://mason.gmu.edu/~dstraus/CLIM_753_syllabus.htm

Course Instructor: David M. Straus
(Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences)

Instructor Contact:
David Straus Office Hrs Monday 11AM-12PM or by arrangement
dstraus@gmu.edu

Class location: Innovation Hall Room 203

Class time: Monday 1:30 PM - 4:10 PM

First class: Monday Aug 24
No class Monday Oct 12 (GMU Fall Break)
Class on Monday Nov 2 moved to seminar on Storm Tracks Wed Nov 4
Last class: Monday Dec 7
Final Exam: TBD

Course Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Acquire knowledge of the basic components of the observed atmospheric circulation.
Understand the role of different circulation components in transporting energy and momentum.
Be able to articulate the ways in which the general circulation relates weather phenomena to the climate.
Become familiar with the application of the mathematical theories to the observed circulation.
Acquire basic skills for carrying out original research on the general circulation.
Develop the ability to read current journal papers on the subject, and report the main findings.

Student Work Components

Homework Sets = 33% percent of grade
Mid-Term and Final Exams = 33% percent of grade
Project = 33% of grade

Primary Required Reading

Course Notes Available

Optional Supplementary References:

Andrews D.G., J.R. Holton and C.B. Leovy. Middle Atmosphere Dynamics. Academic Press, 1987.
Wallace J.M. and co-authors. The Atmospheric General Circulation. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
Randall, D. An Introduction to the Global Circulation of the Atmosphere.. Princeton University Press, 2015.
Masaki, Satoh. Atmospheric Circulation Dynamics and General Circulation Models. Springer, 2004.
Salby, Murry L. Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics. Academic Press, 1996.

Course Topics

Introduction to the Observed Circulation
Dynamical Hierarchy: The Primitive Equations
Quasi-Geostrophic and Barotropic Equations
The Mean Meridional Circulation: Hadley and Ferrel Cells
Stationary waves: Introduction and Observations.
Theory of Zonal Propagation of Rossby Waves.
Theory of Vertical Propagation of Rossby waves.
Theory of Zonal and Meridional Propagation of Rossby Waves.
Mid-latitude Transient Fluctuations.
Global Energy and Enthalpy Transport.
Available Potential Energy.
Angular Momentum Transport.
Life cycles of Baroclinic Instability.
Introduction to Equatorial Waves.
Simple theory of Forced Tropical Stationary Waves.
Interactions between the Eddies and the Zonal Flow.
Introduction to Global Scale Interactions and the atmospheric spectrum.

Some Topics for Projects

The Madden-Julian Oscillation
The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation
Introduction to the Stratospheric Circulation: Sudden Warmings
The mean meridional circulation in the stratosphere: Brewer-Dobson Circulation.
Preferred and Persistent States in the Atmosphere: Teleconnections.

Academic Integrity

The homeworks and are designed to be undertaken independently. You may discuss your ideas with others and conference with peers on drafts of the work. However it is not appropriate to give your paper to someone else to revise. You are responsible for making certain that there is no question that the work you hand in is your own. If only your name appears on an assignment, your professor has the right to expect that you have done the work by yourself, fully and independently.
The course projects may be done in teams, but it should be made very clear to the professor and the rest of the class what the responsibility of each student was. Please see the _University Honor Code and _Common Course Policies