The Frontal Cyclone
Applies dynamics and thermodynamics to frontal cyclone theory, covering case studies, vertical motion diagnosis, frontogenesis, and computational analysis of diagnostic equations.
Summary
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2020: 2.92 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades); Fall 2021: 3.11 GPA, 44.4% A/AB (n=9 letter grades).
What you’ll be able to do
Understand how thermodynamics and dynamics of the atmosphere are brought to bear on the broad problem of the mid-latitude cyclone.
Acquire an understanding of the diagnosis of synoptic-scale vertical motions, frontal circulations, the process of cyclogenesis, and the potential vorticity perspective on cyclone life cycles.
Communicate diagnosis of the current weather and forecasts of future weather to both scientific and broad audiences.
Develop computer code to solve diagnostic second order differential equations that appear in modern cyclone and frontal theory.
Source: UW Guide
Grade history
↗All recorded terms · compare terms & instructors
Prerequisites
Course mapGraduate/professional standing
- Graduate/professional standing
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- Graduate/professional standing
Professors
Spring 2027No instructors recorded for this selection.
Historical instructors & teaching patterns
Recorded history may be incomplete and does not establish a future schedule.
Calendar & sections
Spring 2027Schedule loads here as you scroll.
| Section | Mode | Enrolled / capacity | Waitlist |
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Times are Central. Select a meeting for details; export includes recorded dates for the selected sections.
Meeting source records
Student experience
the class
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2020: 2.92 GPA, 50.0% A/AB (n=6 letter grades); Fall 2021: 3.11 GPA, 44.4% A/AB (n=9 letter grades).
difficulty & workload
No workload feedback recorded.
Topics
- Fundamental dynamics and thermodynamics applied to cyclone and frontal theory
- Structure and evolution of the frontal cyclone via case studies
- Diagnostic considerations of vertical motions, frontogenesis, and potential inversion
- Computational analysis of diagnostic equations and vertical cross sections
Skills
- Apply atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics to mid-latitude cyclone problems
- Diagnose synoptic-scale vertical motions, frontal circulations, and cyclogenesis using potential vorticity
- Communicate weather diagnoses and forecasts to scientific and general audiences
- Develop computer code to solve diagnostic second-order differential equations in cyclone theory
Grades
Latest available · Fall 2021— not enough history to project Spring 2027.
Grade distribution · % of letter grades
Grades over time
Through Fall 2021
More grade details Grade mix, volume & source data
Sources & history
Catalog & offerings
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Raw records
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Grade history
Recorded grade distributions by term, section, and instructor.
Explore recorded gradesRecorded 2026-10-14
Model outputs & technical records
LLM outputs across runs
Full model traces
Recorded model configuration, reasoning, and tool conversations.
Model & dataset provenance
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"requirements_status": "valid",
"dataset_revision": "fc1811fa52e581ea57a35c0cf3343f8740a8ffbf",
"observed_at": "2026-10-14 17:50:09.728220+00:00"
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