Air Masses, Fronts, and Weather Maps

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

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

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What is a weather front?

Back

A weather front is a boundary between two different air masses.

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What does a cold front indicate?

Back

A cold front indicates that a colder air mass is moving in to replace a warmer air mass.

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What does a warm front indicate?

Back

A warm front indicates that a warmer air mass is moving in to replace a colder air mass.

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What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front occurs when two air masses collide, but neither pushes the other out of the way.

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What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm air mass off the ground.

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What does high air pressure mean for weather?

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High air pressure usually indicates clear skies and fair weather.

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What does low air pressure mean for weather?

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Low air pressure often leads to cloudy skies and precipitation.

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What are prevailing winds?

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Prevailing winds are winds that blow predominantly in one direction and are responsible for moving air masses.

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What is the role of a meteorologist?

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A meteorologist is a scientist who studies weather patterns and forecasts the weather.