25-26 ESS2.7 Air Masses

By Katherine Leonard

​ESS2.7 Collect data to provide evidence for how the interactions of air masses result in changes in local weather conditions and how that data can be used to predict probable local weather patterns.

Essential Question:
How do interactions between air masses cause changes in local weather, and how can we use data to predict these weather patterns?

Engage: Be ready to respond to these two statements following the video.

​What is one fact about air masses?

What is one fact about fronts?

Open Ended

Write one fact about air masses and one fact about fronts that you learned from the video.

​Explore: Weather Detectives

Each clue describes an air mass moving into a region. Predict the local weather changes with your partners based on the clues. Describe the type of air mass (where it comes from) and what weather it will bring.

Clue 1: An air mass forms over warm ocean water and moves toward Tennessee.

Clue 2: A very cold and dry air mass drops down from Canada and pushes into a warmer area.

Clue 3: A warm, dry air mass from the southwest meets a cool, moist air mass.

​Explain: Turn to page 37 in your booklet.

​Turn to page 40 in your booklet. Complete the chart according to the characteristics of each air mass.

Multiple Choice

Which air mass on the map brings warm, humid weather?

• Maritime Tropical

• Maritime Polar

• Continental Polar

• Continental Tropical

Multiple Choice

Which air mass forms over warm land in the southwest?

• Maritime Tropical

• Maritime Polar

• Continental Tropical

• Continental Polar

Multiple Choice

Why do maritime air masses have more moisture than continental air masses?

• They form over oceans, which provide lots of water vapor.

• They form over land, which provides less water vapor.

Multiple Choice

Which air mass brings cold, dry weather?

• Maritime Tropical

• Maritime Polar

• Continental Tropical

• Continental Polar

​Elaborate: Air Mass Trading Cards

You will create four mini ‘Air Mass Trading Cards’—one for each major air mass. Each card should include:
1) A simple drawing that represents the air mass

2) A label of where it forms

3) A label of its temperature (warm/cold)

4) A label of its humidity level (dry/humid

I will give you a sheet of white paper. Fold the paper in half twice to make four boxes