Air Masses and Fronts

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

An air mass is a large body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Front

What are the two main types of air masses?

Back

Maritime (formed over water) and Continental (formed over land).

Front

What is a maritime air mass?

Back

An air mass that forms over oceans and is typically moist.

Front

What is a continental air mass?

Back

An air mass that forms over land and is typically dry.

Front

What characterizes a polar air mass?

Back

A polar air mass is cold and forms in high-latitude regions.

Front

What characterizes a tropical air mass?

Back

A tropical air mass is warm and forms in low-latitude regions.

Front

What is a warm front?

Back

A warm front occurs when a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass, leading to gradual temperature increases.

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front occurs when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass, often causing thunderstorms.

Front

What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front occurs when two air masses meet but neither advances, leading to prolonged weather conditions.

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, leading to complex weather patterns.