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Fronts and Masses

Fronts and Masses. Air Masses. The changing of weather may not have a set pattern, but our forecasts have gotten better over the years An air mass is a large body of air that is characterized by temperature and moisture This creates and defines our weather. Air Masses.

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Fronts and Masses

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  1. Fronts and Masses

  2. Air Masses • The changing of weather may not have a set pattern, but our forecasts have gotten better over the years • An air mass is a large body of air that is characterized by temperature and moisture • This creates and defines our weather.

  3. Air Masses • What an air mass forms (source region) will determine its characteristics • Two main characteristics define and Air Mass 1. Moisture content • Forms over land dry air → Designated the name continental • Over water wet air/humid → Designated the name maritime 2. Temperature • Forms in colder air → Designated the name Polar • In warmer/hot air → Designated the name Tropical

  4. Air Masses The abbreviation of the air mass must have a first name that refers to the moisture content and a second that refers to the temperature: • cP continental Polar • Canada & Alaska) • dry & cold • cTcontinental Tropical • Mexico & Florida • dry and warm • mPmaritime Polar • N Atlantic Ocean • Wet and cold • mTmaritime Tropical • Gulf of Mexico • wet and warm

  5. Fronts • When two different air masses meet different weather event will occur • A front is the boundary between two air masses that forms clouds and precipitation. • There are four types: • Cold Fronts • Warm Fronts • Occluded Fronts • Stationary Fronts

  6. Fronts Cold Front • Forms when cold, dense air moves into a region previously occupied by warm air • Symbol → • Leads to strong winds and precipitation • Cumulonimbusclouds are associated with this type of front. • Usually accompanied by decrease in temperatures

  7. Fronts Warm Front • Forms when warm air moves into an area formerly covered by cooler air • Symbol → • Usually moderate to light precipitation for an extended period of time. • Causes an increase in temperatures

  8. Fronts Stationary Front • Forms when the flow of air is moving neither towards a cold air mass or a warm air mass, but remains parallel to both • Symbol → • Little to no precipitation is associated with this front

  9. Fronts Occluded Front • When an active cold front overtakes a warm front, an occluded front forms • Symbol → • Initially, there will be a lot of precipitation at the beginning of this type of front, but it tapers off to light precipitation.

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