Includes bibliographical references and index.

Numerical models have become essential tools in environmental science, particularly in weather forecasting and climate prediction. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques used in these fields, with emphasis on the design of the most recent numerical models of the atmosphere. It presents a short history of numerical weather prediction and its evolution, before describing the various model equations and how to solve them numerically. It outlines the main elements of a meteorological forecast suite, and the theory is illustrated throughout with practical examples of operational models and parameterizations of physical processes. This book is founded on the author's many years of experience, as a scientist at Météo-France and teaching university-level courses. It is a practical and accessible textbook for graduate courses and a handy resource for researchers and professionals in atmospheric physics, meteorology and climatology, as well as the related disciplines of fluid dynamics, hydrology and oceanography. Provides step-by-step explanations for realistic design of models of the atmosphere, enabling students to quickly gain necessary skills and put them into practice. Includes an appendix devoted to two different, modern, non-hydrostatic models (AROME and WRF/ARW), providing cutting-edge methods for mesoscale forecasting. Contains an extensive reading list enabling students to further explore the subjects covered in the book.