The atmosphere and ocean are two of the most important components of the climate system, and fluid dynamics is central to our understanding of both. This book provides a unified and comprehensive treatment of the field that blends classical results with modern interpretations. It takes the reader seamlessly from the basics to the frontiers of knowledge, from the equations of motion to modern theories of the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean. These concepts are illustrated throughout the book with observations and numerical examples. As well as updating existing chapters, this full-color second edition includes new chapters on tropical dynamics, El Niño, the stratosphere and gravity waves. Supplementary resources are provided online, including figures from the book and problem sets, making this new edition an ideal resource for students in the atmospheric, oceanic and climate sciences, as well as in applied mathematics and engineering.

‘The maturity of a scientific discipline can be measured by the degree of intellectual rigor and pedagogy contained in its textbooks. In 2006, Vallis' first edition of AOFD offered the atmospheric and oceanic sciences community a truly great book, marking a milestone in our discipline. Well, Vallis has done it again! This second edition of AOFD represents the pinnacle of a maturing discipline. It is The Great Book of the field, and it will remain so for a generation or longer. … This book will be well used by fluid dynamicists, oceanographers, atmospheric scientists, applied mathematicians, and physicists for decades to come. Each sentence, paragraph, section, chapter, and figure, are thoughtful and erudite, providing the reader with insights and rigor needed to truly capture the physical and mathematical essence of each topic.’

Stephen M. Griffies - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Princeton University, New Jersey

‘Vallis speaks my language. He successfully weaves together fundamental theory, physical intuition, and observed phenomena to tell the story of geophysical fluid behavior at local and global scales. This multi-pronged approach makes this an ideal text for both beginners and experts alike - there is something for everyone. This is why it is the book I use for my class, the book I recommend to incoming graduate students (no matter their background) and the book I go to first when I need clarity on GFD topics. … With the new edition, we now get an even more comprehensive view of how the fundamental processes that dictate the evolution of our atmosphere and oceans drive the complex phenomena we observe (e.g. El Nino). In addition, Vallis has kept-up with the times and the text now includes an entire chapter dedicated to water vapor and tropical moist dynamics.’

Elizabeth A. Barnes - Colorado State University

‘This second edition is a further major achievement by the author. It includes significant new material on the atmosphere and on the ocean, presented in two separate later sections of the book, but building carefully and clearly on the ‘unified’ material in the first part of the book. This is a very effective (and perhaps the only effective) way to bring the reader close to the research frontier without losing the unified treatment … the success of this book is determined by what it contains and little compromised by what it does not contain. The second edition will be an exceptionally valuable resource for those designing advanced-level courses, for the students taking those courses and for researchers, many of whom will surely be stimulated by the clear presentation of existing theory to identify what such theory does not explain and where progress is needed.’

Peter Haynes - University of Cambridge

‘This second edition is even more comprehensive than the first. It now covers subjects such as the derivation of the first law of thermodynamics, the fundamental physics involved in the meridional overturning of the ocean, and equatorial oceanography. The book concentrates on the fundamentals of each subject, with sufficient motivation to make the exposition clear. For good reason, the first edition is now the standard text for courses in oceanography, and this will clearly continue with this second edition, helping all of us, not just students, to clarify our understanding of this field.’

Trevor J. McDougall - University of New South Wales

'Vallis has written a compendious account of geophysical fluid mechanics with coverage of many topics not easily found in other textbooks and research monographs. In the first five chapters the fundamentals are covered thoroughly at the level of a good introductory one-semester class required for beginning meteorologists and oceanographers. The other seventeen chapters contain a mixture of topics, all treated at the level of a research monograph. Researchers looking for an informative and coherent treatment of the dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, starting at a fundamental level, and proceeding to advanced topics, will find that this book is a truly superb resource. … The book is particularly notable for its even-handed treatment of the ocean and the atmosphere and its synthetic discussion of observations, numerics and analytic methods. Other unique features include signposted guides to unsettled research problems, extensive historical notes and even relevant literary quotations.'

William R. Young - Scripps Institution of Oceanography

'Vallis writes explanations as clear as tropical ocean waters, bringing fresh new light to complex concepts. This expanded text will be immediately useful both for graduate students and seasoned researchers in the field.'

Dargan M. W. Frierson - University of Washington

Praise for the first edition:'… provide[s] a clear and consistent view from the fundamentals to the current research topics … extremely helpful to introduce the issues of fluid dynamics to students … I would be happy to see this wonderful textbook on as many desks of our community as possible.'

Source: Meteorologische Zeitschrift

Praise for the first edition:' …sure to grace the shelves of libraries and … [that of] individuals for many years to come, both as a reference and a tutorial text.'

Source: Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Praise for the first edition:'… highly recommended textbook: those who would like to gain a deeper understanding of the large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and at the same time want to be provided with the necessary hydrodynamic foundations, will be served very well indeed by this book.'

Source: Physik Journala