An air mass is a huge body of

An air mass is a huge body of air that has similar characteristics as the area they were formed.

Air Masses are named based on where they FORMED… = TROPICAL = POLAR = MARITIME (means sea… wet) = CONTINENTAL (means land… dry)

TEMPERATURE COLD HOT MOISTURE WET DRY

How do these air masses move? JE TS AM E That’s why weather R ST T M JE generally moves WEST to EASTlies s lr ie te ter s s e e in the. WU. S. W TR EA g ev r P in ail e Pr v g n i l ai

Air masses are steered by the jet stream.

What happens when air masses meet? • Air masses don’t mix easily. • The line between air masses is called a front.

Warm Front A warm air mass overtakes a slow -moving cold air mass.

Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts

Cold Front A fast-moving cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass.

Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts

Occluded Front A warm air mass is caught between 2 cooler air masses. Warm air mass is pushed up.

Stationary Front Cold and warm air meet, but neither can move the other. Creates “standoff”

Compare/Contrast Chart - Types of Fronts Stationary Occluded Warm Cold Front How it Forms A fast-moving cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass. Type of Weather Clouds form. If warm air is humid, rain/snow may fall. Possible thunderstorms. A warm air mass Scattered clouds. overtakes a slow-moving Light rain or snow. cold air mass. May last several days. Cold and warm air meet, Rain, snow, clouds, or but neither can move the fog that may last for other. Creates “standoff” days. A warm air mass is Temperature gets cooler. caught between 2 cooler Clouds and rain may air masses. Warm air form. mass is pushed up.