KMA Grade 9 Meteorologist study plan
KMA Grade 9 Meteorologist · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Meteorology (general and dynamic meteorology)
Derive and interpret the horizontal momentum equations in pressure and height coordinates, explaining each term's physical meaning
Apply the hypsometric equation and hydrostatic balance to compute thickness and geopotential height from soundings
Solve quantitative problems on Coriolis parameter, geostrophic wind, and gradient wind at several latitudes
Sketch and label the three-cell global circulation and identify the primary force balances in each cell
Your checkpoint
A one-page formula sheet with worked numerical examples for geostrophic wind, gradient wind, and thickness, self-checked against at least 10 practice problems
Meteorology (general and dynamic meteorology)
Derive the continuity equation and apply mass divergence/convergence to vertical motion via the kinematic method
Interpret omega equation forcing terms (differential vorticity advection and temperature advection) in real synoptic settings
Compute relative, planetary, and absolute vorticity from a 500 hPa height field and explain vorticity advection sign conventions
Explain quasigeostrophic theory's assumptions and use them to predict surface cyclogenesis locations
Distinguish barotropic from baroclinic instability and relate each to jet stream and cyclone development
Your checkpoint
A written QG diagnosis of one archived 500 hPa chart: computed vorticity, vorticity advection, and a paragraph predicting vertical motion and surface development
Atmospheric thermodynamics and physical meteorology
Derive and apply the first law of thermodynamics to dry adiabatic and diabatic processes in the atmosphere
Construct and read a tephigram or skew-T, identifying parcel path, LCL, LFC, EL, CAPE, and CIN
Calculate potential temperature, equivalent potential temperature, and wet-bulb potential temperature from sounding data
Apply Clausius-Clapeyron and moisture variables (mixing ratio, vapor pressure, dewpoint, relative humidity) in numerical exercises
Your checkpoint
A fully annotated skew-T analysis of one real sounding with CAPE/CIN estimated and parcel ascent reasoning written out
Atmospheric thermodynamics and physical meteorology
Explain the moist adiabatic lapse rate derivation and its dependence on temperature and pressure
Compute conditional instability, convective inhibition, and buoyancy from environmental and parcel temperature profiles
Describe cloud microphysics: nucleation, Bergeron process, collision-coalescence, and precipitation formation
Explain radiative transfer basics in the context of atmospheric heating and cooling profiles
Your checkpoint
A short problem set (minimum 12 items) on parcel buoyancy and moisture thermodynamics, solved with units shown and errors corrected
Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, weather analysis and forecasting
Analyze surface and upper-air charts to locate fronts, troughs, ridges, jet streaks, and thermal wind relationships
Apply Norwegian cyclone model and Shapiro-Keyser concepts to classify a real cyclone's evolution
Diagnose frontogenesis using deformation and temperature gradient fields
Interpret satellite imagery (visible, infrared, water vapor) and radar reflectivity/velocity for mesoscale features
Explain mesoscale convective system structure, squall line dynamics, and severe weather ingredients
Your checkpoint
A case-study forecast retrospective: pre-event forecast reasoning for one convective or frontal event, compared with observed outcome in a 300-word analysis
Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, weather analysis and forecasting & Atmospheric observation, remote sensing and numerical weather prediction
Compare NWP model configurations (global vs limited-area, hydrostatic vs nonhydrostatic) and their appropriate uses
Explain data assimilation basics (3D-Var, 4D-Var, ensemble Kalman filter) and sources of forecast error
Interpret ensemble products: spaghetti plots, probability forecasts, and spread-skill relationships
Evaluate model biases in temperature, wind, and precipitation and apply post-processing corrections
Describe surface and upper-air observation networks, including radiosondes, AMDAR, and satellite soundings
Your checkpoint
A model comparison memo evaluating two NWP solutions for the same 48-hour period, identifying divergence causes and a recommended blended forecast
Climatology and atmospheric radiation
Quantify the global energy budget: incoming solar, albedo, outgoing longwave, and greenhouse effect magnitudes
Explain scattering, absorption, and emission processes and their wavelength dependence
Analyze radiative forcing, feedbacks (water vapor, ice-albedo, cloud), and climate sensitivity concepts
Describe major modes of climate variability (ENSO, MJO, NAO) and their regional weather impacts
Interpret climatological normals, trends, and reanalysis products critically
Your checkpoint
A 400-word climate briefing explaining one regional climate trend with radiative and dynamical reasoning, citing data sources used
Meteorology (general and dynamic meteorology) & Atmospheric thermodynamics and physical meteorology & Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, weather analysis and forecasting & Climatology and atmospheric radiation & Atmospheric observation, remote sensing and numerical weather prediction
Synthesize all domains by completing two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions
Identify and rank weakest subtopics from mock-exam error analysis
Re-derive the ten core equations (hydrostatic, geostrophic, thermal wind, continuity, omega, thermodynamic energy, moisture, vorticity, radiative balance, CAPE) from memory
Produce condensed review notes for each domain's highest-yield concepts
Practice explaining forecast reasoning aloud in under three minutes per scenario
Your checkpoint
A final error-analysis log with targeted remediation notes for every missed item, plus a one-page master summary per domain