Although you are taking this as an introductory meteorology course, you will notice some of the material will have a focus on Aviation. That is because I have been fascinated with the weather and airplanes since I was 10 years old!  I always wanted to study and learn more about the atmosphere, especially the interaction with the ocean and airports since I grew up in New York City just two miles from Kennedy Airport. 

As a young boy, I enjoyed watching planes take off and land each day when I was delivering newspapers.  As an employee with United Airlines, I was a forecaster in the Aviation Weather Center watching the weather in the United States and three continents. It was a dream job following graduation from college. My passion for weather has become a hobby and because of that, there is probably not a day that goes by where I do not think about the weather.

This textbook will combine the normal approach to understanding the science and wonders of the atmosphere along with many first hand observations. Since it is completely ONLINE, you will become an engaged and adaptive learner each time you log on. Hyperlinks connected to the World Wide Web will allow you to activate weather maps, satellite and radar imagery, upper air wind reports, vertical temperature profiles, local forecasts and numerical weather map guidance. 

In addition to reading through the textbook, lecture notes and Power Points will guide you through each chapter’s material.  Knowledge checkpoints will be an important component in testing how well you are retaining information and will be an additional aid with homework and quizzes. Lab exercises are supplemental but are encouraged to review since they will allow you, as a student, to test your ability to push beyond the course requirements.

Forecasting the weather can be both an exciting and humbling experience. We all enjoy a beautiful sunny day with low humidity, light winds and near perfect temperatures. While rain may dampen our spirits or outdoor plans, it might bring welcome news to a farmer hoping for some help to their crops.  In certain situations, major weather events can become catastrophic resulting in property damage or even fatalities.

As you journey through the semester, use this textbook as a guide to help you better understand the physics and thermodynamics of the atmosphere but more so to assist you in unraveling some of those nagging questions you have always had about the most fascinating science of this planet.

— Richard DiMaio