ESE 134: Boundary Layer and Cloud Dynamics - Main Page


Introduction to the dynamics of clouds and atmospheric boundary layers, from a phenomenological overview of cloud and boundary layer morphologies to closure theories for neutral and thermally stratified boundary layers; dry convective boundary layers; mixed-layer models; stably stratified boundary layers; moist thermodynamics and stability; stratocumulus and trade-cumulus boundary layers; shallow cumulus convection and deep convection.


Instructors: Simona Bordoni (239 L+R, email: bordoni@gps.caltech.edu) and João Teixeira (232 L+R, email: joao.teixeira@jpl.nasa.gov)

TA: Anne Laraia, 226 Linde + Robinson, anne.laraia1@gmail.com. Office hour: TDB


Syllabus: [PDF]


Schedule: TTh 1 - 2:25pm


Textbooks (on SFL reserve) :

  • K. Emanuel: Atmospheric Convection (Oxford UP 1994)
  • J. R. Garratt: The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (Cambdrige UP 1992)
  • J. C. Wyngaard: Turbulence in the Atmosphere (Cambridge UP 2010)
  • R. A. Houze Jr.: Cloud Dynamics (Academic Press 1993)
  • R. B. Stull: An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology (Springer 1988)
  • W. R. Cotton, G. Bryan and S. C. van den Heever: Storm and Cloud Dynamics (Academic Press 2010)


    Papers :

  • Siebesma (1998) [pdf]
  • Stevens (2005) [pdf]
  • Siebesma et al. (2007) [pdf]
  • de Rooy et al. (2013) [pdf]


    Grading : Grade or Pass/Fail. Occasional homework sets and final class presentation (Homework 30%, Presentation 70%)