Spring 2027

Synoptic Laboratory I: the Frontal Cyclone

A laboratory course on frontal cyclone theory and evolution, using case studies to teach satellite interpretation, vertical cross sections, and isentropic analysis.

no offering record for this termCredits unavailable
Recorded instructors · Spring 2027 No instructors listed

Summary

1 / 5

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 2.68 GPA, 21.4% A/AB (n=14 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.24 GPA, 47.4% A/AB (n=19 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.04 GPA, 41.7% A/AB (n=12 letter grades).

What you’ll be able to do

  • Synthesize routine observational data along with the fundamentals of mid-latitude atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics to understand the structure, development, life cycle and precipitation distribution associated with midlatitude cyclones.

  • Use both historical and real-time observations and numerical model output to diagnose synoptic-scale phenomena both for research and operational forecasting purposes.

  • Communicate assessments and diagnoses of current and near-term future weather events to both scientific and broad audiences.

Source: UW Guide

Grade history

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average GPA
letter grades
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Prerequisites

Course map

ATM OCN 311 and 340

ATMOCN 452

This is a best-effort interpretation; check the catalog requirements above.

Prerequisite text tree

Professors

Spring 2027

No instructors recorded for this selection.

Historical instructors & teaching patterns

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Calendar & sections

Spring 2027

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Student experience

the class

Recent recorded grades — Fall 2023: 2.68 GPA, 21.4% A/AB (n=14 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.24 GPA, 47.4% A/AB (n=19 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.04 GPA, 41.7% A/AB (n=12 letter grades).

difficulty & workload

No workload feedback recorded.

Topics

  • Cyclone and frontal theory, including the structure and evolution of frontal cyclones via case studies.
  • Diagnostic techniques such as satellite photograph interpretation, vertical cross-section preparation, and isentropic analysis.
  • Mid-latitude atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics applied to midlatitude cyclone structure, development, and precipitation.

Skills

  • Interpretation of satellite photographs, preparation of vertical cross sections, and isentropic analysis.
  • Diagnosing synoptic-scale phenomena using historical/real-time observations and numerical model output for research and operations.
  • Communicating weather event assessments and diagnoses to scientific and broad audiences.

Grades

Latest available · Fall 2025— not enough history to project Spring 2027.

average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades
Instructor

Grade distribution · % of letter grades

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AB
B
BC
C
D
F

Grades over time

Through Fall 2025

More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data

Not enough comparable courses for Spring 2027 in UW–Madison.

Sources & history

UW–Madison

Catalog & offerings

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Grade history

Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.

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Dataset & model

Recorded 2026-10-14

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Model outputs & technical records
Qwen/Qwen3.8-27B
LLM outputs across runs
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Full model traces

Recorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.

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Model & dataset provenance 
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  "model_revision": "1d4bf0f2ff6012fd82039f2fa52739d0dd7c60c0",
  "task_version": "17",
  "output_id": "90fc3ff44fcd726228032a8f8c3bb35065ba14752f0ab1688e431827852727eb",
  "requirements_status": "needs_review",
  "dataset_revision": "fc1811fa52e581ea57a35c0cf3343f8740a8ffbf",
  "observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00"
}