Weather and climate play an important role in human activities and history. In this course, we shall introduce to students the fundamentals of weather, climate and climate changes, to arouse their interests in the scientific and technological advancements.

The course will encompass topics on: basic physical principles on weather phenomena like: wind, temperature, humidity, cold/warm fronts, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones; introductory weather analysis, forecast and climate. Through real life examples, students will get familiarized with the weather/climate science and interpretation of meteorological information, climatology and climate change.

Experts from the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will participate in the course to cover aspects on daily weather forecasts, public weather services, local severe weather phenomena, tropical cyclones, climatology of Hong Kong, and climate change. A tentative visit to the HKO to study the meteorological facilities and understand the operational activities on weather and climate might be arranged.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• recall the basic principles of weather and climate
• apply the principles to interpret weather / climate information, for example from the HKO web site, internet or media
• identify and explain the differences of weather and climate in Hong Kong as compared to other parts of the world
• explain the basic causes of climate change and its potential impacts
• describe and discuss the daily operational activities in the HKO

• The graded Assignment 4 could be picked up from our General Office, Rm 518 CYM Phys. Buld. All un-collected Assignment 4 will be thrown away on Dec 31, 2012.
• Examination:
  • Date: Thu., Dec 27, 2012
  • Time: 9:30am-11:30am
  • Venue: Loke Yew Hall
  • There are 20 multiple choice questions and four short questions.

• Assignment One, Solution of Assignment One.
• Assignment Two, Solution of Assignment Two.
• Assignment Three, Solution of Assignment Three.
• Assignment Four, Solution of Assignment Four.
• Test, Solution of Test.
• We expect there will be about four assignments and one test.

Course Instructors

Dr. Lee Kai-Ming (Phy Dept)	One week	Rm 415A, CYM Phys. Buld. 2859 2370 kmlee@lily.physics.hku.hk Consultation Hour: Wed. 2-4pm
Dr. Li Ping-wah (HKO)	Two weeks	2926 8463 pwli@hko.gov.hk
Mr. Wong Wai-kin (HKO)	Three weeks	2926 8642 wkwong@hko.gov.hk
Dr. Lee Tsz-cheung (HKO)	Four weeks	2926 8360 tclee@hko.gov.hk

Tutors and Graders
Mr. Tang Gaomin, Rm 418, 2859 8976.
Mr. Yu Zhizhou, Rm 418, 2859 8976.

Assessment
One 2-hour written examination (50%).
Test (25%).
Assignment ( 4 assignments ) (25%).

Lecture Notes, Textbook and References
We have modified the lecture notes. Those from last year are, in general, outdated.
Lecture One
Lecture Two
Lecture Three
Lecture Four
Lecture Five
Lecture Six (Revised)
Lecture Seven (Revised)
Lecture Eight, Part I
Lecture Eight, Part II
Lecture Nine
Lecture Ten (Revised)
Frederick Lutgens and Edward Tarbuck: The Atmosphere (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010)