Air masses and fronts

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

A large body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Front

What are the four main types of air masses?

Back

Maritime Tropical, Maritime Polar, Continental Tropical, Continental Polar.

Front

What is a front in meteorology?

Back

A boundary between two different air masses.

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front occurs when warm air rises over cold air, leading to gradual temperature increases and often light rain.

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front occurs when cold air pushes under warm air, leading to abrupt weather changes and often thunderstorms.

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, causing complex weather patterns.

Front

What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front occurs when two air masses meet but neither is strong enough to replace the other, leading to prolonged weather conditions.

Front

How does warm air behave compared to cold air?

Back

Warm air rises because it is less dense than cold air.

Front

What type of weather is typically associated with a cold front?

Back

Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and a drop in temperature.

Front

What type of weather is typically associated with a warm front?

Back

Light rain, gradual temperature increase, and overcast skies.