Air Masses and Weather Fronts

Describe the characteristics of a maritime tropical air mass.

• Cold and dry air mass originating over tropical oceans

• Warm and dry air mass originating over polar oceans

• Cool and humid air mass originating over tropical land

• Warm and humid air mass originating over tropical oceans

Explain how air masses are classified based on their source region.

• By the color of the sky and the time of day

• By the number of clouds in the sky

• By the direction of the wind and the phase of the moon

• By considering the latitude and the type of surface over which the air mass forms.

How are fronts formed?

• By the rotation of the Earth

• By the meeting of two air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels.

• By the movement of clouds

• By the position of the moon

What is the difference between a warm front and a cold front?

• Warm fronts occur only in the summer, while cold fronts occur only in the winter.

• There is no difference between a warm front and a cold front.

• Warm fronts occur when cold air moves into an area of warmer air, while cold fronts occur when warm air moves into an area of colder air.

• Warm fronts occur when warm air moves into an area of colder air, while cold fronts occur when cold air moves into an area of warmer air.

What is an occluded front and how does it form?

• An occluded front forms when a stationary front becomes stuck between two air masses, causing the warm air to rise and create a mix of warm and cold air.

• An occluded front forms when warm air moves into a region of cold air, causing the warm air to rise and create a mix of warm and cold air.

• An occluded front forms when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a slow-moving warm front, lifting the warm air off the ground and creating a mix of warm and cold air.

• An occluded front forms when a warm front catches up to a cold front, causing the warm air to lift the cold air off the ground and creating a mix of warm and cold air.

Describe the characteristics of a stationary front.

• Little to no horizontal movement

• Vertical movement only

• Fast horizontal movement

• No temperature difference

What type of weather is associated with a warm front?

• Heavy snowfall

• Strong winds and thunderstorms

• Clear skies and sunshine

• Gentle and steady precipitation

What type of weather is associated with a cold front?

• Sunny and calm

• High humidity and fog

• Extreme heat and drought

• Drop in temperature, strong winds, and precipitation

According to the weather station, what is the wind velocity?

• 10 knots

• 15 knots

• 15 knots SE

• 15 knots SW

Describe a low pressure system:

• An air pressure system that rotates inward in a counterclockwise motion in the northern hemisphere?

• An air pressure system that rotates inward in a clockwise motion in the northern hemisphere?

• cloud cover that rotates inward in a counterclockwise motion in the northern hemisphere?

• An air pressure system that rotates inward in a counterclockwise motion in the southern hemisphere?