Air Masses and Fronts

An air mass is a large volume of air in the troposphere with similar characteristics of… ADD

HERE

Air masses tend to be represented by symbols on a map

c = Continental air masses

m = Maritime air masses

T = Tropical air masses

P = Polar air masses

A = Arctic air massesThe various

symbols for air masses are found

on pg. 13 of RT

Continental Arctic

(very cool and dry)

cA

Continental Polar

(cool and dry)cP

Maritime Polar

(cool and moist)

mP

Maritime Tropical

(warm and moist)

mT

Maritime Tropical

(warm and moist)

mT

ContinentalTropical

(warm and dry)cT

Air Masses of North America

High and Low Pressure Systems

In the Northern Hemisphere, low pressure systems spin… ADD HERE

In the Northern Hemisphere, high pressure systems spin… ADD HERE

Fronts A front is… ADD HERE

Severe weather conditions are often associated with fronts.

There are four different fronts that represent the areas where air

masses meet.

Each front is represented by a

unique set of symbols and colors.

RT = Pg. 13

Cold Front

In a cold front, an… ADD HERE

The warm air mass is less dense and rises above the cold air mass. The rising air forms large cloud systems associated with severe

storms (thundershowers).

Rain is usually associated in regions… ADD HERE

Warm Front

In a warm front, an advancing… ADD HERE

The warm air mass is less dense and rises above the cold air mass. The warm air moves on top of the cold air (like a wedge). A layer of

different types of clouds arranged throughout the atmosphere is seen in a warm front.

Rain is usually associated… ADD HERE

Stationary Front

In a stationary front, an advancing… ADD HERE

The warm air mass is less dense than the cold air mass and rises at the boundary of the front. Sometimes it may

take weather patterns a longer time to move across a region due to the opposing movement of the air masses.

Cloudy skies and/or rain is usually… ADD HERE

Occluded Front

In a occluded front, an advancing cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass to meet up with another cold air mass. The warm air is forced above both cold air masses and is responsible for cloud development

associated with precipitation.

Occluded fronts are associated with… ADD HERE

Very low air pressure and… ADD HERE