Exploring Air Masses and Their Impact on North American Weather

What are the two main characteristics that define an air mass?

• Temperature and pressure

• Temperature and water vapor content

• Humidity and wind speed

• Water vapor content and pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which type of air mass is extremely cold and dry, forming over land near the Arctic Circle?

• Maritime Polar (MP)

• Continental Arctic (CA)

• Maritime Tropical (MT)

• Continental Polar (CP)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Where do continental Arctic (CA) air masses originate?

• Over the North Atlantic Ocean

• Far Northern Canada near the Arctic Circle

• Over the Gulf of Mexico

• Near the equator

Which air mass is known for being dry and cold, but not as cold as the Arctic air mass?

• Maritime Tropical (MT)

• Maritime Polar (MP)

• Continental Tropical (CT)

• Continental Polar (CP)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the primary characteristic of maritime polar (MP) air masses?

• Dry and hot

• Humid and cold

• Dry and cold

• Humid and hot

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which region of the United States is most affected by maritime polar (MP) air masses?

• Southeastern United States

• Southwestern United States

• Northwestern United States

• Northeastern United States

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What type of air mass moves northeastward from Mexico and is characterized by being very dry and very hot?

• Continental Polar (CP)

• Maritime Polar (MP)

• Maritime Tropical (MT)

• Continental Tropical (CT)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which air mass is humid and hot, primarily originating from the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic Ocean?

• Continental Polar (CP)

• Maritime Polar (MP)

• Continental Tropical (CT)

• Maritime Tropical (MT)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the major impact of CP and MT air masses interacting in the eastern part of the United States?

• Hurricanes

• Thunderstorms in the spring

• Tornadoes

• Blizzards

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which air masses should you pay careful attention to for their impact on the climate of New York State?

• CP and MT

• CA and CT

• CT and MP

• CA and MP

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6