Air Masses, Fronts, & Pressure Systems

Air Masses, Fronts, and Pressure Systems

Air Mass

A huge body of air with similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure at any given height.

4 Characteristics of Air Masses

Tropical - Warm - formed in tropics

Polar - Cold - formed near N & S poles

Maritime - Wet - formed over oceans

Continental - Dry - formed over land

4 Major Types of Air Masses

mT - Maritime Tropical - warm & wet

mP - Maritime Polar - cold & wet

cT - Continental Tropical - warm & dry

cP - Continental Polar - cold & dry

Multiple Select

An air mass has similar .....

check all that apply

• temperature

• color

• humidity

• air pressure

• shape

Multiple Choice

What type of air mass is warm and wet?

• continental polar

• continental tropical

• maritime polar

• maritime tropical

Multiple Choice

What type of air mass is cold and wet?

• continental polar

• continental tropical

• maritime polar

• maritime tropical

Multiple Choice

What type of air mass is cold and dry?

• continental polar

• continental tropical

• maritime polar

• maritime tropical

Multiple Choice

What type of air mass is warm and dry?

• continental polar

• continental tropical

• maritime polar

• maritime tropical

Front

The boundary between two air masses.

Cold Front

Cold air mass moves in under a warm air mass

* causes thunderstorms

* brings cooler temperatures

Warm Front

Warm air mass moves over cold air mass

* causes drizzly rain

* brings warmer temperatures

Stationary Front

A warm and a cold air mass meet but cannot move

* causes extended periods of precipitation

Multiple Choice

Which front brings warmer temperatures after it passes through?

• Warm Front

• Cold Front

• Stationary Front

Multiple Choice

Which front causes thunderstorms?

• Warm Front

• Cold Front

• Stationary Front

Multiple Choice

Which front brings cooler temperatures after it passes through?

• Warm Front

• Cold Front

• Stationary Front

Multiple Choice

Which front causes drizzly rain?

• Warm Front

• Cold Front

• Stationary Front

Multiple Choice

Which front causes extended periods of rain?

• Warm Front

• Cold Front

• Stationary Front

Pressure Systems

Low Pressure

Rising air

*Causes storms/heavy rain

*Cloudy

High Pressure

Sinking air

*Fair weather

*Clear skies

Multiple Choice

Which system causes storms and cloudy weather?

• High Pressure

• Low Pressure

Multiple Choice

Which system causes clear skies and nice weather?

• High Pressure

• Low Pressure