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701-1216-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC , DR D-USYS , D-ERDW , D-INFK , D-MATH , D-PHYS , D-ITET
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Weather and Climate Models

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Christoph Schär, Prof. Dr. Martin Wild, Dr. David Leutwyler
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:16

Abstract

The course provides an introduction to weather and climate models. It discusses how these models are built addressing both the dynamical core and the physical parameterizations, and it provides an overview of how these models are used in numerical weather prediction and climate research. As a tutorial, students conduct a term project and build a simple atmospheric model using the language PYTHON.

Objective

At the end of this course, students understand how weather and climate models are formulated from the governing physical principles, and how they are used for climate and weather prediction purposes.

Content

The course provides an introduction into the following themes: numerical methods (finite differences and spectral methods); adiabatic formulation of atmospheric models (vertical coordinates, hydrostatic approximation); parameterization of physical processes (e.g. clouds, convection, boundary layer, radiation); atmospheric data assimilation and weather prediction; predictability (chaos-theory, ensemble methods); climate models (coupled atmospheric, oceanic and biogeochemical models); climate prediction. Hands-on experience with simple models will be acquired in the tutorials.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Slides and lecture notes will be made available atLink

Literature

List of literature will be provided.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC , DR
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
10 pages of hand-written notes
Students hand in a tutorial report (compulsory performance assessment) shortly after the end of the term. Exact date will be announced (oral and written) in the first lecture. The report will be graded with marks. The grade contributes to 15% to the examination grade. It is possible to pass the course, even if the grade for the report is below 4.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Weather and Climate Models
Lecture 14-16 and exercise 16-18 every 14 days
  • Thu 14:15-16:00 (HG D 7.1)
  • Thu 16:15-18:00 (HG D 7.1)
  • 24.03 Date 16:15-18:00 (HG D 7.1)
  • 28.04 Date 16:15-18:00 (HG D 7.1)
3 h weekly

Offered In