The course will focus on past and future changes in climate in the Baltic Sea region. Students will be introduced to fundamental processes of the atmosphere, ocean, sea-ice and land surface with relevance for the climate system. Further basic methods of the analysis and modeling of the regional climate system will be introduced, including the statistical analysis of time series to identify changes in regional climate. We will explain atmospheric pressure patterns of the large-scale circulation like the North Atlantic circulation with influence on the Baltic Sea and the corresponding catchment area. The students will also be introduced to the functioning of the wind-driven and thermohaline circulations of the Baltic Sea.

This course is given by Rostock University in collaboration with Stockholm University, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde and the Baltic Earth programme.

Course description: Climate of the Baltic Sea Region, 3 ECTS

Course leader: Markus Meier, Dept. Physical Oceanography and Instrumentation, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Rostock University