Weather Fronts and Air Masses Flashcard

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

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

Front

How do air masses influence the weather?

Back

Air masses influence the weather by bringing their temperature, humidity, and stability characteristics to an area.

Front

What is a weather front?

Back

A weather front is a boundary between two different air masses, which can lead to changes in weather.

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front occurs when warm air moves into an area of colder air, leading to gradual temperature increases.

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front occurs when cold air moves into an area of warmer air, often causing sudden temperature drops and storms.

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front forms when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a slow-moving warm front, lifting the warm air off the ground.

Front

What are the characteristics of a warm front?

Back

A warm front is characterized by a gradual increase in temperature, a shift in wind direction from easterly to southerly, and the presence of cirrus clouds followed by stratus and nimbostratus clouds.

Front

What are the characteristics of a cold front?

Back

A cold front is characterized by a sudden drop in temperature, a shift in wind direction, and the presence of cumulonimbus clouds.

Front

What causes thunderstorms?

Back

Thunderstorms are caused by warm, moist air rising rapidly, leading to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds.

Front

What causes a tornado?

Back

A tornado is caused by the interaction of warm air and cold air, creating strong winds and a rotating column of air.