AS200-C3L2 - VQ

Large bodies of air that take on the characteristics of the surrounding air, such as temperature and moisture content.

• Fronts

• Air masses

• Wind shear

• Wind gradient

A transition zone (or boundary) between two air masses that bring a change in the current weather.

• Fronts

• Wind shear

• Squall line

• Flanking line

Occurs when a cold air mass pushes into and overtakes a warm air mass.

• Cold front

• Warm front

• Stationary front

• Occluded front

Occurs when warm air pushes into and overtakes a cooler air mass.

• Cold front

• Warm front

• Stationary front

• Occluded front

Forms when a cold or warm air mass stops moving.

• Cold front

• Warm front

• Stationary front

• Occluded front

A composite of two fronts formed as a cold front takes over a warm front.

• Cold front

• Warm front

• Stationary front

• Occluded front

A change in wind direction of 45 degrees or more in less than 15 minutes with sustained speeds of 10 knots or more.

• Wind shifts

• Wind shear

• Wind gradients

• Temperature inversion

A horizontal or vertical change in wind speed and/or direction over short distances.

• Wind shifts

• Wind shear

• Wind gradients

• Temperature inversion

Air that flows along a curved trajectory.

• Wind shifts

• Wind shear

• Wind gradients

• Temperature inversion

When a layer of cooler air at the surface is overlain by a layer of warmer air.

• Wind shifts

• Wind shear

• Wind gradients

• Temperature inversion