Air Masses and Fronts

Air Masses and Fronts

By Donna Kelly

Front

​The boundary where 2 air masses meet and weather occurs.

Air Mass

A large body of air that has the same temperature and moisture level throughout. Thre are 4 types of air masses in the UnitedStates.

​4 Types of Air Masses

​(COLD)

Maritime Polar (cold and WET)

Contintental Polar (cold and DRY)​

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​(WARM)

Maritime Tropical (warm and WET)

Continental Tropical (warm and DRY)​

​Cold Front

• Cold air mass pushes warm air mass up

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• Cumulous clouds form

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• Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snow occur at a cold front​

​Warm Front

• Warm air mass stretches over coldair mass

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• Stratus clouds are formed

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• Steady light rain or snow occur at a warm front​

​Stationary Front

• Forms when a cold front or warm front stops moving

• The 2 air masses are pushing against each other, but neither is powerful enough to move the other

• Creates seveal days of rainy weather

​Occluded Front

• A warm air mass is caught between 2 colder air masses

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• Brings LOTS of rain and snow​

Multiple Choice

It has been raining for days and Mrs. Kelly wants to wash her car. What kind of front do you think could have caused all this rain?

• Cold Front

• Warm Front

• Stationary Front

• Occluded Front

Multiple Choice

It has been raining off and on today. When the rain finally stopped, Mrs. Kelly takes her dogs Brittany and Maya for a walk, but it's very warm outside so they don't walk long. What kind of front cause today's weather?

• Cold Front

• Warm Front

• Stationary Front

• Occluded Front

Multiple Choice

It has been thundering and lightning all day and Mrs. Kelly's dogs are scared. When it finally calms down, she takes Britney outside to use the bathroom. Mrs. Kelly notices that is has gotten really cold outside, but at least it isn't raining anymore. What kind of front caused today's weather?

• Cold Front

• Warm Front

• Stationary Front

• Occluded Front

Multiple Choice

When Mrs. Kelly went to bed last night, it was cold but not too cold outside. When she woke up it was much colder and it had snowed over 5 inches! What kind of front caused the weather last night?

• Cold Front

• Warm Front

• Stationary Front

• Occluded Front