Dynamics in Atmospheric Physics

Abstract

This book is intended as a textbook for an introductory, graduate-level course on atmospheric dynamics. It could be used in place of, or in conjunction with, James R. Holton's "An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology," 3rd ed. (Academic Press, 1992), or perhaps J. T. Houghton's "The Physics of Atmospheres," 2nd ed. (Cambridge University Press, 1986). There is less material here than in J. Pedlosky's "Geophysical Fluid Dynamics," 2nd ed. (Springer-Verlag, 1987), or A. E. Gill's "Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics" (Academic Press, 1982), and students with good undergraduate backgrounds in physics and applied mathematics could probably get through it in one semester. The author describes his book as a set of lecture notes for a course that has been given at Harvard and M.I.T. for the past 7 years. The selection of topics reflects Lindzen's many substantial contributions to the field. It is an original treatment of the subject, and would serve well as a refresher for atmospheric scientists who want some new insights into dynamics.