Air Masses & Weather Fronts

What determines the movement of an air mass?

• The color of the sky

• The position of the moon

• Global wind currents

• The type of precipitation

What is a polar air mass?

• An air mass that forms near the equator

• An air mass that forms near the poles

• An air mass that forms over deserts

• An air mass that forms over mountains

What is a maritime air mass?

• An air mass that forms over land

• An air mass that forms over water

• An air mass that forms in the mountains

• An air mass that forms in deserts

Which air mass is cool, moist, and unstable?

• Continental Polar

• Continental Tropical

• Maritime Polar

• Maritime Tropical

What are jet streams?

• Strong currents of air that flow from east to west

• Strong currents of air that flow from west to east

• Weak currents of air that flow from north to south

• Weak currents of air that flow from south to north

Where do Continental Polar air masses form in the United States?

• Over the Gulf of Mexico

• Over the NE Pacific Ocean

• Over Canada

• Over the SE Pacific Ocean

What weather conditions do Maritime Polar air masses bring to the NW United States?

• Hot and dry weather

• Cold and dry weather

• Rain or snow

• Thunderstorms

Where do Maritime Tropical air masses often form?

• Over the Gulf of Mexico

• Over Canada

• Over the NE Pacific Ocean

• Over the North Pole

What is the abbreviation for Continental Polar air mass?

• cT

• mP

• cP

• mT

What is the abbreviation for Maritime Polar air mass?

• cT

• mP

• cP

• mT