An Introduction to Severe Storms and Hazardous Weather

A.          Introductory Principles

1.           An Introduction to Severe Storms & Societal Impacts

2.           Meteorological Primer, Part I:  Pressure and Wind Relationships

3.           Meteorological Primer, Part II:   Moisture and Precipitation in Storms

4.           Meteorological Observations and Forecasting

B.          Weather Hazards Generated by Large-Scale Atmospheric Vortices

5.           Structure, Energetics and Climatology of Extratropical Cyclones vs.     Hurricanes  

6.           Genesis, Evolution and Intensification of Extratropical Cyclones and   Hurricanes

7.           Winter Weather Hazards:  Arctic Air Outbreaks, Nor’easters, Blizzards, Lake Effect Snow and Ice Storms

8.           Landfalling Hurricanes:  Coastal and Inland Devastation  

C.          Severe Local Storms and Their Weather Hazards

 9.           Structure and Evolution of Ordinary Thunderstorms

10.        Severe Thunderstorms, Emphasizing Supercells and Damaging Hail

11.        Tornadoes:  Structure, Evolution, and Genesis 

12.        Tornado Outbreaks, Detection, Warning and Societal Response 

13.        Violent Thunderstorm Downdrafts:  Downbursts and Derechos 

14.        The Science of Flash Floods

D.          Appendix – Heat Waves

Biography

Jeffrey B. Halverson received his PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Virginia in 1994, then assumed a post-doc under Dr. Joanne Simpson (the first woman in the United States to receive a PhD in Meteorology) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. He is currently Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he teaches courses on physical geography, water science, natural hazards, meteorology, severe storms, climate change, and Earth’s natural history. He and his team of graduate students investigate severe storms, particularly hurricanes. In 2000 he helped pioneer a new type of technology for measuring air temperature at high altitudes in the eye of hurricanes. Halverson has authored or coauthored more than 60 scientific publications on severe storms and has appeared in science documentaries aired by NOVA, National Geographic, The Weather Channel, and The Discovery Channel. He is a columnist, feature writer, and assistant editor for Weatherwise Magazine. He is a writer and Severe Weather Expert for the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. In 2015 he adapted a new teaching technology – a large, digitally projected sphere of the Earth, called Magic Planet – for teaching his courses.

"Dr Halverson has delivered a very accessible text on extreme weather, severe storms, and hurricanes. The book uses compelling visualizations and graphic to convey concepts. The degreed meteorologist and science-attentive public will both find value and interest in An Introduction to Severe Storms and Hazardous Weather."

Dr. James Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program, University of Georgia, USA and past President of the American Meteorological Society

"Jeff Halverson is a gifted writer and brings meteorology to life in this comprehensive and engaging textbook. The highly accessible scientific explanations and marvelous illustrations make it an invaluable resource that will foster much greater understanding of severe storms."

Jason Samenow, Chief Meteorologist, Washington Post Capital Weather Gang

"This is a textbook that doesn't read like a textbook. The way Dr. Halverson has written this book is almost conversational, as if I'm listening to him really tell the story of the atmospheric processes. There are so many great examples for students to really learn about the science. The details of events with examples can really put weather into perspective for students to understand these concepts in an easy way." 

Aubrey Urbanowicz, Chief Meteorologist, WHSV, Harrisonburg, VA

The prevalence of billion-dollar disasters continues to climb exponentially. Understanding how and why these events occur is crucial for developing effective hazard mitigation techniques. Halverson (Univ. of Maryland) addresses this through solid, scientific explorations of the atmospheric conditions that lead to the formation of severe weather and the impact these systems have on the environment. Part 1 familiarizes readers with the basic concepts of atmospheric science and meteorology, such as barometric pressure, jet streams, storm formation, and weather forecasting technologies. Part 2 deciphers severe storm formation, including cyclones, anticyclones, and tropical weather, focusing on atmospheric conditions that lead to severe storms, hurricanes, and blizzards. Part 3 analyzes localized weather events, like severe thunderstorms, supercells, tornadoes, derechos, flooding, and heat waves. Each chapter gives learning objectives, a summary, and key scientific principles. It is heavily illustrated, containing a plethora of charts, graphs, and figures that clearly demonstrate the science behind the event. Although designed as an undergraduate textbook, this source still provides an interesting, accessible, and well-written introduction to hazardous weather.

 Summing Up: Highly recommended. Undergraduates and general readers.

C. A. Sproles, University of Louisville for Choice