Faculty/Staff Bookshelf

Books are listed in order of publication date.

An Observers Guide to Clouds and Weather"An Observers Guide to Clouds and Weather"

Toby N. Carlson
Paul Knight
Celia Wykoff

 

Copyright: 2014
List Price: $30.00
AMS Member Price: $20.00
AMS Student Price: $20.00


This informative and accessible guide walks readers through the process of making weather predictions through understanding cloud types and sky formations. It connects fundamental meteorological concepts with the processes that shape weather patterns, and will make a potential expert of any dedicated student or reader.

Available from:  AMS Bookstore

Mid-Latitude Weather Systems
"Mid-Latitude Weather Systems"

By Toby N. Carlson
10/11/12

 

First published in 1991 and reprinted in 1994 and 1998, Mid-Latitude Weather Systems has become a classic text in synoptic meteorology. It is the first text to make extensive use of conventional weather charts and equations to illustrate fully the behavior and evolution of weather patterns. Turning to well-documented case studies, Toby Carlson presents selected concepts in a unique way, facilitating the interpretation of this active and challenging area of study.

Early chapters focus on the mathematics necessary to construct simple models, which are subsequently used to describe and interpret the movement, evolution, and structure of particular weather patterns. Carlson discusses specific meteorological phenomena using schematic illustrations in conjunction with actual weather charts for explanation. The charts are an original and powerful feature of the text and display parameters routinely issued by the United States Weather Service.

With its fusion of the mathematical and descriptive fields of meteorology and its integrated coverage of synoptic and dynamic approaches, Mid-Latitude Weather Systems is an invaluable course text and reference source for students.

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Instructor copies are available for $10.00

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Hockey Stick Climate Wars Book by Michael E. Mann
"The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines"

By
Michael E. Mann
2012

In its 2001 report on global climate, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations prominently featured the “Hockey Stick,” a chart showing global temperature data over the past one thousand years. The Hockey Stick demonstrated that temperature had risen with the increase in industrialization and use of fossil fuels. The inescapable conclusion was that worldwide human activity since the industrial age had raised CO2 levels, trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and warming the planet.

The Hockey Stick became a central icon in the “climate wars,” and well-funded science deniers immediately attacked the chart and the scientists responsible for it. Yet the controversy has had little to do with the depicted temperature rise and much more with the perceived threat the graph posed to those who oppose governmental regulation and other restraints to protect our environment and planet. Michael E. Mann, lead author of the original paper in which the Hockey Stick first appeared, shares the real story of the science and politics behind this controversy. He introduces key figures in the oil and energy industries, and the media front groups who do their bidding in sometimes slick, bare-knuckled ways to cast doubt on the science. Mann concludes with an account of the “Climategate” scandal, the 2009 hacking of climate scientists’ emails. Throughout, Mann reveals the role of science deniers, abetted by an uninformed media, in once again diverting attention away from one of the central scientific and policy issues of our time.

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Columbia University Press

Book cover - The Physics and Chemistry of Clouds
"The Physics and Chemistry of Clouds"

By
Drs. Dennis Lamb and Johannes Verlinde
2011

Clouds affect our daily weather and play key roles in the global climate. Through their ability to precipitate, clouds provide virtually all of the fresh water on Earth and are a crucial link in the hydrologic cycle. With ever-increasing importance being placed on quantifiable predictions - from forecasting the local weather to anticipating climate change - we must understand how clouds operate in the real atmosphere, where interactions with natural and anthropogenic pollutants are common. This textbook provides students - whether seasoned or new to the atmospheric sciences - with a quantitative yet approachable path to learning the inner workings of clouds. Developed over many years of the authors' teaching at Pennsylvania State University, Physics and Chemistry of Clouds is an invaluable textbook for advanced students in atmospheric science, meteorology, environmental sciences/engineering and atmospheric chemistry. It is also a very useful reference text for researchers and professionals.

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http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Chemistry-Clouds-Dennis-Lamb/dp/0521899109

Introduction to Tropical Meteorology
"Introduction to Tropical Meteorology"


By
Arlene Laing and Jenni L. Evans
2011

This online textbook is a comprehensive resource for Tropical Meteorology. It is intended for use by undergraduate and early graduate students in Tropical Meteorology courses, forecasters, and others interested in the impacts of tropical weather and climate.

The book is divided into chapters, which will be published incrementally and may not be all available at the time of your viewing. Each chapter uses a variety of strategies, from teaching the content via graphics and animations, to interactions, simulations, and case studies. Each section has links to additional sites and resources that augment the material presented in the chapter.

What is unique about this book?

This book covers the fundamental science of the tropical atmosphere and synthesizes the tremendous increase in our knowledge of tropical meteorology during the past two decades. In that same period, great advances also occurred in learning technologies, allowing students to learn through interactivity and access to real data. With this textbook, many approaches to learning are possible. The book may be used as a traditional textbook in its printed form. Sections of the online version may be used as lab exercises or for independent learning.

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Introduction to Tropical Meteorology 

cover of book titled "Mesoscale Meteorology in Midlatitudes"
"Mesoscale Meteorology in Midlatitudes"

By Paul Markowski and Yvette Richardson
2010

Mesoscale Meteorology in Mid-Latitudes presents the dynamics of mesoscale meteorological phenomena in a highly accessible, student-friendly manner. The book’s clear mathematical treatments are complimented by high-quality photographs and illustrations. Comprehensive coverage of subjects including boundary layer mesoscale phenomena, orographic phenomena and deep convection is brought together with the latest developments in the field to provide an invaluable resource for mesoscale meteorology students.

Mesoscale Meteorology in Mid-Latitudes functions as a comprehensive, easy-to-use undergraduate textbook while also providing a useful reference for graduate students, research scientists and weather industry professionals.

  • Illustrated in full color throughout

  • Covers the latest developments and research in the field

  • Comprehensive coverage of deep convection and its initiation

  • Uses real life examples of phenomena taken from broad geographical areas to demonstrate the practical aspects of the science

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Turbulence in the Atmosphere Book Cover
"Turbulence in the Atmosphere"

By
John C. Wyngaard
2010

Product Description

Based on his 40+ years of research and teaching, John Wyngaard's textbook is an excellent up-to-date introduction to turbulence in the atmosphere and in engineering flows for advanced students, and a reference work for researchers in the atmospheric sciences. Part I introduces the concepts and equations of turbulence. It includes a rigorous introduction to the principal types of numerical modeling of turbulent flows. Part II describes turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer. Part III covers the foundations of the statistical representation of turbulence and includes illustrative examples of stochastic problems that can be solved analytically. The book treats atmospheric and engineering turbulence in a unified way, gives clear explanation of the fundamental concepts of modeling turbulence, and has an up-to-date treatment of turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer. Student exercises are included at the ends of chapters, and worked solutions are available online for use by course instructors.

Book Description
Provides an up-to-date and rigorous introduction to turbulence in the atmosphere and in engineering flows for advanced students, and a reference work for researchers in the atmospheric sciences. With student exercises at the end of each chapter and worked solutions online, this is an invaluable resource for any related course.

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World of Weather Fifth Edition Book Cover
"A World of Weather: Fundamentals of Meteorology" (Fifth Edition)

By Lee Grenci and Jon M. Nese (CD-ROM produced by David Babb)
2010

Fifth Edition; A Text and Laboratory Manual; CD-Rom Enclosed.

A review by Keith C. Heidorn, PhD, The Weather Doctor

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Artificial Intelligence Methods book cover
"Artificial Intelligence Methods in the Environmental Sciences"


By
Sue Ellen Haupt, Antonelli Pasini, and Caren Marzban
2008

Product Description
How can environmental scientists and engineers use the increasing amount of available data to enhance our understanding of planet Earth, its systems and processes? This book describes various potential approaches based on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including neural networks, decision trees, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic.

Part I contains a series of tutorials describing the methods and the important considerations in applying them. In Part II, many practical examples illustrate the power of these techniques on actual environmental problems.

International experts bring to life ways to apply AI to problems in the environmental sciences. While one culture entwines ideas with a thread, another links them with a red line. Thus, a “red thread“ ties the book together, weaving a tapestry that pictures the ‘natural’ data-driven AI methods in the light of the more traditional modeling techniques, and demonstrating the power of these data-based methods.

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The Philadelphia Area Weather Book front cover image
"The Philadelphia Area Weather Book"


By
Jon Nese, Glenn Schwartz, and Edward G. Rendell (Foreward)
2002

Product Description
Everybody talks about the weather, but now Jon Nese and Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz, two of the Philadelphia area's most respected meteorologists, have done something about it: they have written the book that answers all our questions about this region's weather and climate, from the Poconos and Philadelphia to southern New Jersey and the Shore to Delaware. The snowiest winter? The hottest summer? The strongest tornado? Signs of global warming? Why can't computers give reliable two-week forecasts?

The Philadelphia Area Weather Book offers a little-known history of the region’s pivotal role in the development of weather science that goes back to colonial times, and it gives a lively account of what forecasters actually do on a daily basis. Writing for the general public, including young adults, Nese and Schwartz introduce the key concepts of weather and explain how forecasts are made as well as why they sometimes are wrong. Throughout the book, in sections called "Stories from the Trenches," the authors recall the dramatic weather events (and at least one non-event) that kept area residents tuned in for the latest news.

The features of this lively and informative book make it the perfect gift for weather enthusiasts and an indispensable household reference.

Features

  • More than 150 illustrations (including 60 photographs, 54 maps, dozens of diagrams, and a 16-page color section)

  • Weather statistics for Philadelphia, Wilmington, Allentown, and Atlantic City

  • Lists of web resources organized by topic so that readers can follow current weather events using the same sites as the experts do

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Clouds in a Glass of Beer book cover
"Clouds in a Glass of Beer"
Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics


By
Craig F. Bohren
2001

Product Description
Memorable and thoroughly understandable science lessons, liberally sprinkled with humor, will fascinate beginning physics students as well as general readers in such fascinating chapters as “On a Clear Day You Can’t See Forever,” “Physics on a Manure Heap,” “A Murder in Ceylon,” and “Multiple Scattering at the Breakfast Table. “[The book] rings with a unifying tone: the science of the everyday physical world is fun. And so is this book.”—Jearl Walker, Physics Department, Cleveland State University.

From the Publisher
This fascinating exploration of atmospheric physics presents over 25 experiments that let readers observe and reproduce natural phenomena with simple materials at home or in the classroom. In a captivating, conversational tone, it explores topics in meteorological optics, including rainbows, coronas, color of sky and sea, visibility, cloud physics, and basic physics relevant to the atmosphere. A scientific or mathematical background is not required. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Book Cover The Rainbow Bridge, A. Fraser
"The Rainbow Bridge
Rainbows in Art, Myth, and Science"

By Raymond L. Lee, Jr. and Alistair B. Fraser
2001

Book Description (amazon.com)

Venerated as god and goddess, feared as demon and pestilence, trusted as battle omen, and used as a proving ground for optical theories, the rainbow's image is woven into the fabric of our past and present. From antiquity to the nineteenth century, the rainbow has played a vital role in both inspiring and testing new ideas about the physical world. Although scientists today understand the rainbow's underlying optics fairly well, its subtle variability in nature has yet to be fully explained. Throughout history the rainbow has been seen primarily as a symbol--of peace, covenant, or divine sanction--rather than as a natural phenomenon. Lee and Fraser discuss the role the rainbow has played in societies throughout the ages, contrasting its guises as a sign of optimism, bearer of Greek gods' messages of war and retribution, and a symbol of the Judeo-Christian bridge to the divine.

The authors traverse the bridges between the rainbow's various roles as they explore its scientific, artistic, and folkloric visions. This unique book, exploring the rainbow from the perspectives of atmospheric optics, art history, color theory, and mythology, will inspire readers to gaze at the rainbow anew.

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Penn State University Press

Meteorological Measurement systems book cover
"Meteorological Measurement Systems"


By
Fred V. Brock and Scott J. Richardson
2001

Product Description
This book treats instrumentation used in meteorological surface systems, both on the synoptic scale and the mesoscale, and the instrumentation used in upper air soundings. The text includes material on first- and second-order differential equations as applied to instrument dynamic performance, and required solutions are developed. Sensor physics are emphasized in order to explain how sensors work and to explore the strengths and weaknesses of each design type. The book is organized according to sensor type and function (temperature, humidity, and wind sensors, for example), though several unifying themes are developed for each sensor. Functional diagrams are used to portray sensors as a set of logical functions, and static sensitivity is derived from a sensor's transfer equation, focusing attention on sensor physics and on ways in which particular designs might be improved. Sensor performance specifications are explored, helping to compare various instruments and to tell users what to expect as a reasonable level of performance. Finally, the text examines the critical area of environmental exposure of instruments. In a well-designed, properly installed, and well-maintained meteorological measurement system, exposure problems are usually the largest source of error, making this chapter one of the most useful sections of the book.

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The Ceaseless Wind book cover
"The Ceaseless Wind"
An Introduction to the Theory of Atmospheric Motion

By
John A. Dutton
1976

Product Description

This acclaimed hardcover text--recognized by teachers throughout the world as the best of its kind--provides advanced undergraduate and graduate students with an integrative presentation of the important concepts of the theory of atmospheric motion. Beginning with a comprehensive mathematical treatment of atmospheric kinematics and thermodynamics, Professor Dutton--Dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University--presents a thorough development of atmospheric dynamics. Topics treated in detail include atmospheric structure, the equations of motion in inertial coordinates, meteorological equations of motion, moisture processes, models of the wind, atmospheric energetics, vorticity, atmospheric wave motion, and the quasi-geostrophic theory of large-scale flow. The book is divided into three parts: Foundations of Atmospheric Dynamics, The Equations of Atmospheric Motion, and the Theory of Atmospheric Motion. A chapter new to this edition presents a unified approach to approximate equations of motion for various scales of flow, examines the topological dynamics of spectral models and introduces the concept of metamodeling. More than 400 problems at various levels of difficulty complement the text. Corrected and enlarged Dover republication of the edition published by McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1976. Bibliographies. 97 black-and-white illustrations.

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