Air Masses and Fronts ESS 5.1.2

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

An air mass is a large body of air that has similar temperature and humidity characteristics throughout.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What are the two main types of air masses?

Back

The two main types of air masses are continental (dry) and maritime (moist).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front is formed when a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass, leading to gradual temperature increases and often resulting in precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front occurs when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass, causing abrupt weather changes, including thunderstorms and a drop in temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front is a boundary between two air masses that are not moving, leading to prolonged periods of cloudy and wet weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, causing complex weather patterns and often resulting in precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What weather is typically associated with a warm front?

Back

Warm and humid weather is typically expected after a warm front passes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What weather is typically associated with a cold front?

Back

Cool and clear skies are typically expected after a cold front passes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What symbol represents a warm front on a weather map?

Back

A warm front is represented by a line with semicircles pointing in the direction of the warm air.

Front

What symbol represents a cold front on a weather map?

Back

A cold front is represented by a line with triangles pointing in the direction of the cold air.