Air Masses & Fronts
Weather is caused by the movement & interaction of air masses
Each Mass is described with a Temperature & Moisture
Ex: Hot / Dry Ex: Cold / Moist
Air Mass- large body of air that has properties similar to the part of the Earth’s surface over which it develops
Air mass that forms over tropics is _______ than one that forms over the northern regions.
Air mass that forms over water is more ______ than one that forms over dry land.
Characteristics of Air
Recall: Winds blow from an area of ______ pressure to an area of _____ pressure!
(high to low)
Highs & Lows
Associated with fair / nice / SUNNY/ clear weather because the high pressure does not allow air to rise and form clouds
Hint: Think of High 5= Good Weather Or Thumbs UP!
HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM
Associated with cloudy / rainy weather because the warm air rises and forms clouds
Thumbs Down
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
Lines on a weather map that connect equal areas of pressure.
The lines show what type of wind may occur
Lines that are close= Strong/Fast Winds
Lines that are far= Little to No Wind
Isobars
Where is it Windy? Look at the Isobars!!!
It is usually cloudy and stormy at a front
4 Types◦ Cold◦ Warm◦ Occluded◦ Stationary
Fronts- boundary that forms between 2 different air masses
Familiar Fronts
In your journals, identify these symbols
Divide your paper into four equal sections Read the FRONTS section on page 127 &
128 Label each section with the 4 fronts:
◦ Cold Front, Warm Front, Occluded Front, Stationary Front
Describe what happens at each front & what type of weather occurs
Draw a picture of each front & use Red & Blue colored pencils to add color.
INCLUDE THE SYMBOL OF THE FRONT!!!!!!
Front Drawings
Cold Front
Fronts move in the direction they are headed!
Tips: The blue triangles on a cold front= think of icicle
Q: What types of temperatures are left after a cold front moves through?
Q: What direction is this cold front moving?
Cold Fronts Continued
Warm Front
Hint: The half circles on a warm front= think of the sun
Q: What types of temperature are left after a warm front moves through?
Q: What direction is this warm front moving?
Warm Fronts Continued…
Stationary Front Neither cold nor warm
air advances.
Hint: Think of the line of scrimmage in a football game when both teams equally push against each other
OR a Stationary Bike!
Occluded Front
Hint: The 2 C’s in oCCluded for 2 cold air masses.
Cold air masses close out the warm air from the surface.
The only front that includes ____ air masses. ( How many air masses are involved?)
Occluded Front Continued…