The University of British Columbia

Course Description

An introduction to instrumentation used in monitoring the state of the atmosphere; a brief survey of methods of analysis of meteorological data.

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

This course focuses on in-situ weather instruments.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
• use traditional and electronic weather instruments
• use and program modern data loggers
• explain how weather instruments work and describe their accuracy
• design and implement measurement strategies
• analyze data, including error propagation

 

Online Materials

• Lecture Notes , Instrument Demos , Lab Activities .

Instructors

Prof. Mike Novak

 

Evaluation (draft)

Labs (75%)
Final Exam (25%)
================
Total (100%)

 

 

Textbook

Required Readings From:

"Meteorological Measurement Systems"
by Fred V. Brock and Scott J. Richardson
• ISBN-10: 0195134516
• ISBN-13: 978-0195134513
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (Jan 15 2001)

Every chapter except one of the Chapters will be assigned readings. 

Students with UBC internet addresses can also access a free online version of the textbook .

 

Optional Readings From:

Online CIMO (WMO) Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation.

 

 

Course Content

Lecture Topics

Week . Topic . (Chapter)

1. Overview  (Ch 1, and Appendix A)
2. Thermometry (Ch 4, and App. D and B )
3. Data Loggers, Sampling, and Analog-to-Digital Conversion (Ch 13, and App C)
4. Barometry (Ch 2)
5. Static Performance Characteristics of Instruments (Ch 3)
6. Hygrometry (Ch 5)
7. Dynamic Performance Characteristics of Instruments (Ch 6)
8. Anemometry (Ch 7)
9. Precipitation Rate (Ch 9)
10. Solar and Earth Radiation (Ch 10)
11. Visibility and Cloud Height (Ch 11)
12. Upper Air Measurements (Ch 12)
13. Sensible and Latent Heat Fluxes.  Review and Catch-up

 

 

Lecture Topics

In-Lecture Instrument Demonstration Topics

(see Online Materials)

NOTE: This course is taught every second year.  It is next scheduled for January-April 2013.

 

Labs

(see Online Materials)