Air Masses and Fronts

Pressure caused by the weight of the air above an area

• front

• air mass

• atmospheric pressure

• density

A large body of air that has relatively uniform temperature and humidity

• density

• atmospheric pressure

• front

• air mass

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

As air cools, it becomes more dense and sinks towards the Earth’s surface spinning clockwise

• low pressure

• cold front

• high pressure

• warm front

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

As air warms, is becomes less dense and rises above the Earth’s surface spinning counter clockwise

• cold front

• low pressure

• warm front

• high pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A line on a weather map that connects points of equal atmospheric pressure

• isobar

• isotherm

• barometer

• compass rose

Measures atmospheric pressure (mb, Hg)

• anemometer

• barometer

• compass rose

• wind vane

A balloon that carries instruments to high altitudes to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and wind speed

• compass rose

• wind vane

• anemometer

• weather balloon

Helps determine wind direction when reading weather maps

• wind vane

• compass rose

• weather balloon

• barometer

Measures wind speed (mph)

• wind vane

• compass rose

• barometer

• anemometer

Measure wind direction (N, E, S, W)

• compass rose

• barometer

• wind vane

• weather balloon