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701-0473-00L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-MATH , D-ERDW , D-INFK , D-ITET , D-CHAB
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Weather Systems

Wettersysteme

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Michael Armand Sprenger, Dr. Franziska Seraina Scholder-Aemisegger
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:48

Abstract

Satellite observations; analysis of vertical soundings; geostrophic and thermal wind; cyclones at mid-latitude; global circulation; north-atlantic oscillation; atmospheric blocking situtations; Eulerian and Lagrangian perspective; potential vorticity; Alpine dynamics (storms, orographic wind); planetary boundary layer

Objective

The students are able to - explain basic measurement and analysis techniques that are relevant in atmospheric dynamics - to discuss the mathematical basics of atmospheric dynamics, based on selected atmospheric flow phenomena - to explain the basic dynamics of the global circulation and of synoptic- and meso-scale flow features - to explain how mountains influence the atmospheric flow on different scales - basic understanding of the role of moist adiabatic processes for weather systems and why stable water isotopes are useful in this context

Content

Satellite observations; analysis of vertical soundings; geostrophic and thermal wind; cyclones at mid-latitude; global circulation; north-atlantic oscillation; atmospheric blocking situtations; Eulerian and Lagrangian perspective; potential vorticity; Alpine dynamics (storms, orographic wind); planetary boundary layer

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes and slides

Literature

Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, Academic Press

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 60 minutes
Aids
2-seitige Zusammenfassung
Drei freiwillige Quizzes und eine Fallstudie finden während dem Semester statt und werden bewertet. Die drei besten der vier Bewertungen werden zu einer Note verrechnet.Diese Lernelemente können insgesamt zu einer Erhöhung der Gesamtnote der Lerneinheit im Umfang von maximal 0.25 Notenpunkten führen. Die Maximalnote 6 für die Lerneinheit kann auch erreicht werden, wenn nur die Schlussprüfung absolviert wird.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Wettersysteme
  • Wed 14:15-16:00 (CHN E 46)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Earth and Climate Sciences Bachelor
  • Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
    • Specialization in an Environmental System
      • Atmosphere and Climate (The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Specialization in Atmosphere and Climate: 701-0106-00L Mathematik V: Angewandte Vertiefung von Mathematik I - III (Spring semester) 402-0048-00L Fortgeschrittene Physik für Umwelt- und ErdwissenschaftlerInnen (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)
  • Interdisciplinary Sciences Bachelor
    • Physical-Chemical Direction
      • 3. Semester (Physical-Chemical Direction)
        • Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)
  • Environmental Sciences Master
  • Atmospheric and Climate Science Master
    • Electives (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich and the universities of Zürich and Bern.)
      • Prerequisites (The definition of prerequisites is part of the admission procedure for the master studies. You are informed by the admission office as to what courses of the section «prerequisites» you have to catch up with. You are accredited for these courses in the electives block of the master studies.)
  • Data Science Master