Introduction to Station Models

​Weather Maps, Station Models, and Air Masses

​

Multiple Choice

What type of storm front is this? 

• warm front
• cold front
• stationary front
• occluded front

Multiple Choice

When a warm air mass gently slides on top of a cold air mass, and you have drizzly rain and then warmer weather, what type of front is it?

• warm front
• cold front
• occluded front
• stationary front

Multiple Choice

rapidly moving cold air  mass runs into a warm air mass the cold air slides under the warm air. This is called a  .....

• cold front
• warm front
• stationary front

Multiple Choice

Warm air is ______ dense than cool air. Warm air rises and cool air sinks.

• less

• more

Multiple Choice

This is the symbol for a... 

• Stationary Front
• Occluded Front
• Cold Front
• Warm Front 

Multiple Choice

This is the symbol for a... 

• Cold Front
• Warm Front
• Stationary Front
• Occluded Front 

Multiple Choice

This is the symbol for a... 

• Stationary Front
• Occluded Front
• Cold Front
• Warm Front

Multiple Choice

Which type of air would you find at air mass D?

• cold, dry
• warm, humid
• warm, dry
• cold, humid

Draw

Draw an arrow to identify the direction of the weather pattern approaching Virginia. Then indicate what type of weather is moving towards Virginia.

Draw

Answer the following: Identify which part tells you wind speed. What direction is the wind blowing? What is the current sky conditions? Is there precipitation and, if so, how much?

Multiple Choice

What is the temperature for the following station model?

• 4 ºF

• 76 ºF

• 80 ºF

• 129 ºF

Multiple Choice

What is the dewpoint for the following station model?

• 10 ºF

• 23 ºF

• 65 ºF

• 75 ºF

Multiple Choice

What is the present weather for the following station model?

• rain

• thunderstorms

• drizzle

• fog

Multiple Choice

What is the amount of precipitation for the following station model?

• .15 in

• 1/4 in

• 6 in

• 46 in

Multiple Choice

What is the wind direction for the following station model?

• north

• east

• northwest

• northeast

Multiple Choice

What is the wind speed at this location?

• 5 knots

• 10 knots

• 15 knots

• 20 knots

​What is an Air Mass?

​​An air mass is a large volume of air in the atmosphere that is mostly uniform in temperature and moisture. Air masses can extend thousands of kilometers across the surface of the Earth, and can reach from ground level to the stratosphere—16 kilometers (10 miles) into the atmosphere.

​Where do Air Masses Form?

​Air masses form over large surfaces with uniform temperatures and humidity, called source regions. Low wind speeds let air remain stationary long enough to take on the features of the source region, such as heat or cold. When winds move air masses, they carry their weather conditions (heat or cold, dry or moist) from the source region to a new region. When the air mass reaches a new region, it might clash with another air mass that has a different temperature and humidity. This can create a severe storm.

​Types of Air Masses

​Meteorologists identify air masses according to where they form over the Earth. There are two main categories for air masses: tropical and polar.

Polar air masses form in the arctic region and are very cold. Tropical air masses form in low-latitude areas and are moderately warm.

Air masses are also identified based on whether they form over land or over water. Maritime air masses form over water and are humid. Continental air masses form over land and are dry.

​Air Masses

Air masses are classified on weather maps using two or three letters.

• A lowercase letter describes the amount of moisture in the air mass (m for maritime and c for continental).

• ​An uppercase letter describes the heat of the air mass: T for tropical and P for polar.

• ​There are 4 air mass abbreviations, which can be seen in the diagram to the right.

​

Multiple Choice

Describe an arctic air mass.

• Dry
• Wet
• Cold
• Warm

Multiple Choice

Describe a tropical air mass.

• Dry
• Wet
• Cold
• Warm

Multiple Choice

What types of air masses form over oceans?

• Maritime
• Continental
• Polar
• Tropical

Multiple Choice

What types of air masses form over land?

• Maritime
• Continental
• Polar
• Tropical

Multiple Choice

What types of air masses would be colder?

• Maritime
• Continental
• Polar
• Tropical

Multiple Choice

What types of air masses would be warmer?

• Maritime
• Continental
• Polar
• Tropical