Air Masses & Fronts Vocabulary

Front

Air Mass

Back

A large body of air that has the same temperature and moisture throughout.

Front

Source Region

Back

The place where an air mass forms. It gives the air mass its temperature and moisture.

Front

Continental (c)

Back

Dry air that forms over land.

Front

Maritime (m)

Back

Moist air that forms over water.

Front

Polar (P)

Back

Cold air that forms near the poles.

Front

Tropical (T)

Back

Warm air that forms near the equator.

Front

Arctic (A)

Back

Very cold air that forms over the Arctic region.

Front

Stable Air

Back

Air that doesn’t rise easily and causes calm weather.

Front

Unstable Air

Back

Air that rises quickly and can lead to storms or clouds.

Front

Cold Front

Back

A cold air mass moves in and pushes warmer air up, often causing storms.