Storm and Cloud Dynamics, Volume 44 (International Geophysics) [Paperback]

William R. Cotton (Author), Richard A. Anthes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0121925315 | ISBN-13: 978-0121925314

This book focuses on the dynamics of clouds and of precipitating mesoscale meteorological systems. Clouds and precipitating mesoscale systems represent some of the most important and scientifically exciting weather systems in the world. These are the systems that produce torrential rains, severe winds including downburst and tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning, and major snow storms. Forecasting such storms represents a major challenge since they are too small to be adequately resolved by conventional observing networks and numerical prediction models.

Key Features
* Key Highlights of This Text
* Provides a complete treatment of clouds integrating the analysis of air motions with cloud structure, microphysics, and precipitation mechanics
* Describes and explains the basic types of clouds and cloud systems that occur in the atmosphere-fog, stratus, stratocumulus, altocumulus, altostratus, cirrus, thunderstorms, tornadoes, waterspouts, orographically induced clouds, mesoscale convection complexes, hurricanes, fronts, and extratropical cyclones
* Presents a photographic guide, presented in the first chapter, linking the examination of each type of cloud with an image to enhance visual retention and understanding
* Summarizes the fundamentals, both observational and theoretical, of atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, cloud microphysics, and radar meteorology, allowing each type of cloud to be examined in depth
* Integrates the latest field observations, numerical model simulations, and theory
* Supplies a theoretical treatment suitable for the advanced undergraduate or graduate level

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Cotton and Anthes's Storm and Cloud Dynamics, Volume 44 of the International Geophysics Series, is perfectly timed to provide an up-to-date and authoritative overview of clouds. The scope of the work is ambitious: a description of the physics and dynamics of all clouds in the terrestrial troposphere. Their emphasis on mesoscale phenomena and on the bulk description of physical processes reflects their perspective and expertise as mesoscale numerical modelers...The book is well-produced, consistent with the excellent standards of Academic Press. The chapter references total over 1500 entries (including duplicates) with more than a third from the 1980's. Thus the book provides us with a current survey of the field...The book should appeal to the cloud microphysicist, boundary layer meteorologist, cloud dynamiscist, forecaster, synoptician, nesoscale numerical modeler, climate dynamicist, and theoretician. Each will have his/her knowledge broadened by the juxtaposition of topics and perspectives that this book brings to its subject. In summary, this book is well recommended: it will serve for many years as an indispensable introduction to the vast literature on storms and clouds."
--BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGY SOCIETY
"This book is very timely; it is also detailed, relatively comprehensive, quantitative, and theoretical. The reader will have no problem in finding equations describing the many physical problems involving cloud dynamics. The authors are adept at describing the applications of the equations and speculating about the reason things happen the way they do in clouds and storm systems....The authors draw upon studies by their colleagues and students as well as their own long experience in this field and have produced a comprehensive review rather than a textbook....Their book will be of great assistance to anyone working in the fascinating, rapidly evolving field of storm and cloud dynamics and will be of fundamental importance for studies of global and climate change."
--SCIENCE
"The style of the book is one in which the body of knowledge on a given topic is summarized comprehensively, which makes the volume a storehouse of invaluable information...The authors provide a scholarly account of a large, actively developing topic. The result is immensely useful."
--NATURE
"This encyclopedic book magnificently covers every aspect of cloud dynamics and precipitating mesoscale meteorological systems. It thoroughly discusses and provides many references on warm and ice-phase cloud physics, radiative transfer in a cloudy atmosphere entrainment, storm electrification, and the influence of topography."
--CHOICE
"Here is a monumental work by two foremost experts on cloud and mesoscale modeling. The book carries the hallmark of quality one is accustomed to with Academic Press...This book is a very laudable effort to bring together in a critical review a wealth of material from widely dispersed sources...This book should be found on the shelves of every meteorological reference library."
--GEOPHYSICS AND BIOCLIMATOLOGY
"The book has been long expected among cloud physicists and is a highly recommendable position for any meteorological library."
--PAGEOPH

From the Back Cover

This book focuses on the dynamics of clouds and of precipitating mesoscale meteorological systems. Clouds and precipitating mesoscale systems represent some of the most important and scientifically exciting weather systems in the world. These are the systems that produce torrential rains, severe winds including downburst and tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning, and major snow storms. Forecasting such storms represents a major challenge since they are too small to be adequately resolved by conventional observing networks and numerical prediction models.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 883 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (September 7, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121925315
• ISBN-13: 978-0121925314
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,389,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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