24 1 AIR MASSES Air Masses Hot air

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24 -1 AIR MASSES

24 -1 AIR MASSES

Air Masses �Hot air rises Low pressure �Cold air sinks High pressure �Differences in

Air Masses �Hot air rises Low pressure �Cold air sinks High pressure �Differences in pressure causes wind

How Air Moves �From poles towards equator � 3 wind belts in north �

How Air Moves �From poles towards equator � 3 wind belts in north � 3 wind belts in south

�Coriolis effect – winds are deflected by Earth’s rotation

�Coriolis effect – winds are deflected by Earth’s rotation

Formation of Air Masses �Air mass – large body of air in which temperature

Formation of Air Masses �Air mass – large body of air in which temperature and humidity are similar �Stationary or slow

�Form in: �Polar – cold and dry �Tropical ocean – warm and moist

�Form in: �Polar – cold and dry �Tropical ocean – warm and moist

Types of Air Masses �Classified by source region �Temperature and humidity �Ocean – maritime

Types of Air Masses �Classified by source region �Temperature and humidity �Ocean – maritime �Land - continental

Continental �Form over large land masses �Humidity low, dry �Stay in location for days

Continental �Form over large land masses �Humidity low, dry �Stay in location for days or weeks

�c. P – continental polar Cold and dry �c. T – continental tropical Warm

�c. P – continental polar Cold and dry �c. T – continental tropical Warm and dry

Maritime �Form over large bodies of water �Higher humidity �Bring rain or fog

Maritime �Form over large bodies of water �Higher humidity �Bring rain or fog

�m. P – maritime polar Moist and cold �m. T – maritime tropical Moist

�m. P – maritime polar Moist and cold �m. T – maritime tropical Moist and warm

North America Air Masses �Continental Polar c. P – cold and dry �From polar

North America Air Masses �Continental Polar c. P – cold and dry �From polar regions in Canada �Moves south-sotheast

�Maritime Polar m. P – cold and moist �From polar Pacific, polar Atlantic �Moves

�Maritime Polar m. P – cold and moist �From polar Pacific, polar Atlantic �Moves southeast, southwest-south

�Continental Tropical c. T – warm and dry �From US southwest �Moves north-northeast

�Continental Tropical c. T – warm and dry �From US southwest �Moves north-northeast

�Maritime Tropical m. T – warm and moist �From tropical Pacific, tropical Atlantic �Moves

�Maritime Tropical m. T – warm and moist �From tropical Pacific, tropical Atlantic �Moves northeast, north- northwest