Fronts and Air Masses

Look at the weather conditions outside. What type of air mass is over Long Island?

What type of front is it causing?

Low pressure/high pressure?

What facts did you use to answer these questions? (Ex: I looked outside and noticed….)

Today’s Weather Map

A Body of air that has the same temperature, humidity, and pressure is known as a(n)

Air mass

What are the characteristics of a high pressure system?

Clear, cool, dry

What are the characteristics of a low pressure system?

Warm, wet, cloudy

A place where two different bodies of air collide is called a ______

front

What type of weather will a cold front bring?

Heavy precipitation for a short time

What type of weather will a warm front bring?

Light precipitation for a long time

Which air mass has the lowest pressure?

A. mPB. mTC. cTD. cP

Clue- Write characteristics of each mass next to it.

Which air mass has the highest pressure?

A. mPB. mTC. cTD. cP

Clue- Write characteristics of each mass next to it.

The weather characteristics of an air mass result primarily from its ________

Geographic origin

Compare an air mass from the Gulf of Mexico with and air mass from Canada

Cold/dry air rushing in and pushing warm air up explains a ___________ front

Cold

Weather along most fronts is usually cloudy with precipitation because the warm air along most fronts is usually __________

Rising and cooling, causing water vapor to cool, condense and form clouds.

Label each front

Stationary front

Warm front

Cold front

Occluded front

What are the characteristics of an anticyclone High Pressure Brings cool and dry conditions Rotates clockwise

What are the characteristics of a cyclone Brings warm, cloudy, and humid

weather Low Pressure Travels counter-clockwise

Label the High and Lower Pressure: Compare the following two air masses:

mT mPLOW HIGH

warm cool

Why would one maritime air mass be more moist than another?

It stays over the ocean longer.

Don’t forget to study for the test using the review sheet and your notes!