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What is an AIR MASS?

What is an AIR MASS?. An air mass is a huge body of air that has similar characteristics as the area they were formed. Air Masses classified by…. TEMPERATURE. MOISTURE. COLD. WET. HOT. DRY. Air Masses are named based on where they FORMED…. = TROPICAL = POLAR

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What is an AIR MASS?

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  1. What is an AIR MASS?

  2. An air mass is a huge body of air that has similar characteristics as the area they were formed.

  3. Air Masses classified by… TEMPERATURE MOISTURE COLD WET HOT DRY

  4. Air Masses are named based on where they FORMED… = TROPICAL = POLAR = MARITIME (means sea… wet) = CONTINENTAL (means land… dry) WARM COLD WET DRY

  5. How do these air masses move? That’s why weather generally moves WEST to EAST in the U.S. JET STREAM JET STREAM Prevailing Westerlies Prevailing Westerlies Prevailing Westerlies

  6. Air masses are steered by the jet stream.

  7. What happens when air masses meet? • Air masses don’t mixeasily. • The line between air masses is called a front.

  8. Warm Front • A warm air mass overtakes a slow-moving cold air mass. Denser sinks Less dense Rises

  9. Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts

  10. Cold Front • A fast-moving cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass. Less dense rises Denser sinks

  11. Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts

  12. Occluded Front • A warm air mass is caught between 2 cooler air masses. Warm air mass is pushed up. Less dense Rises Denser sinks

  13. Stationary Front • Cold and warm air meet, but neither can move the other. Creates “standoff” Less dense Denser

  14. Cold Compare/Contrast Chart - Types of Fronts Warm Stationary Occluded

  15. COLD FRONT WARM FRONT OCCLUDED FRONT STATIONARY FRONT

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