Course Comparison of WMO-1083 to University Syllabi
SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY - (BIP-M)
The following is a comparison of syllabus for a University syllabus of the Synoptic
and the Guidelines of Meteorological training as set out in WMO 1083.
References
WMO-No. 1083:2012 - Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in
Meteorology and Hydrology-Volume I (Annex VIII to WMO Technical Regulations)-Meteorology
UWI Science and Technology Faculty Handbook 2013-2014
University Syllabus
WMO 1083
REQUISITE TOPICS IN
MATHEMATICS AND
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
WMO 1083 : Synoptic Meteorology
METE1100 Introduction to
Dynamic Meteorology and
Weather Analysis
Mid-latitude and polar weather
systems
– Weather systems: Explain how midlatitude and polar weather systems differ
from those in the tropics;
– Modification of bodies of air: Explain
how bodies of air can be modified by the
environment, the resulting characteristics
of the air, and the ways in which the
modifications can affect weather at distant
locations through air movement
METE2200 Synoptic Meteorology
– Fronts: Use knowledge of physical
processes to describe the characteristics of
warm, cold and
stationary and occluded fronts, how these
I
 Demonstrate scalar analysis
techniques introduced in
METE1100;
 Analyze synoptic weather
charts using composite
surface analysis techniques;
 Evaluate upper level
weather charts making use
of isobaric analysis
techniques;
 Apply finite difference
techniques to various
computations;
 Illustrate the three
dimensional structure of
mid-latitude cyclones;
 Define kinematics of
horizontal motion;
 Derive the kinematic
parameters of divergence,
vorticity and deformation;
 Evaluate divergence, and
vorticity by use of the
natural coordinate system;
 Perform advection analysis;
 Employ kinematic and
adiabatic techniques to
derive vertical motion;
 Demonstrate the
characteristics and
maintenance of a frontal
boundary using the theory
of kinematics;
 Discuss the main frontal
zones in the Northern
Hemisphere.
fronts are related to synoptic fields, and the
three dimensional nature of frontal
boundaries;
– Mid-latitude depressions: Apply physical
and dynamical reasoning to explain the life
cycle of
mid-latitude depressions in terms of the
Norwegian cyclone model, including the
three-dimensional structure of a
developing depression and the air flow
through the depression;
– Jet streaks and jet stream: Apply
physical and dynamical reasoning to
explain the development, structure and
impact of jet streaks and the relationship
between the jet stream and the
development of mid-latitude depressions;
– Synoptic-scale vertical motion: Diagnose
synoptic-scale vertical motion in midlatitude weather systems (for example, by
considering ageostrophic motion, using the
Petterssen or Sutcliffe Development
Theory or applying the omega equation);
– Cyclogenesis: Apply knowledge of
dynamical processes to explain
cyclogenesis and the factors contributing
Synoptic Meteorology II
 Analyze wind fields using
isogon and streamline
techniques;
 Discuss the polar jet stream
and its role on the
development of surface
systems;
 Interpret the pressure
tendency equation and its
applications;
 Evaluate modern theories of
mid-latitude cyclone
development;
 Examine cut-off cyclones,
upper level anticyclones,
and blocking systems;
 Illustrate important features
on weather cross section
analyses;
 Debate on the various
development theories
associated with polar lows
and dry lines;
 Synthesize the knowledge
gained in synoptic and
dynamic meteorology to
evaluate ‘real time’
synoptic-scale weather
systems;
 Use numerical model
outputs in preparation of
weather forecasts. Analyze
wind fields using isogon and
streamline techniques;
 Discuss the polar jet stream
and its role on the
development of surface
systems;
 Interpret the pressure
tendency equation and its
applications;
 Evaluate modern theories of
mid-latitude cyclone
development;
 Examine cut-off cyclones,
upper level anticyclones,
and blocking systems;
 Illustrate important features
on weather cross section
analyses;
 Debate on the various
development theories
associated with polar lows
to explosive cyclogenesis;
– Frontal structure and frontogenesis:
Explain the structure and dynamical
characteristics of fronts, the relationship
between frontogenesis and vertical motion,
and the processes causing upper-level
frontogenesis;
– Polar weather systems: Explain the
characteristics and formation of polar
weather systems, including katabatic
winds, barrier winds and polar lows;
– Extreme weather: Describe the weather,
with emphasis on any extreme or
hazardous conditions, that might be
associated with mid-latitude and polar
weather systems and the likely impact of
such conditions;
– Limitation of conceptual models:
Analyse recent and/or historic weather
events to assess the extent to which
theories and conceptual models of midlatitude and polar weather systems
resemble reality.
and dry lines;
 Synthesize the knowledge
gained in synoptic and
dynamic meteorology to
evaluate ‘real time’
synoptic-scale weather
systems;
 Use numerical model
outputs in preparation of
weather forecasts.
Covered in Tropical
Meteorology
Covered in Synoptic I and II
but should be considered for
more detailed study.
Covered in Synoptic
Meteorology II
Also includes
-Tropical Meteorology
-Mesoscale Meteorology
-Weather Observation and Analysis
-Weather Forecasting