similar temperature and moisture throughout. An air mass gets its - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

 An air mass is a large

body of air that has similar temperature and moisture throughout.

 An air mass gets its

temperature and moisture from the area

• ver which it forms

(For example: any air mass that develops over the Gulf of Mexico will be warm and wet because the Gulf of Mexico is warm and wet).

 Air masses with different temperatures do not

usually mix

 Therefore, when two different air masses meet,

a boundary called a front forms between them

 There are four main types of fronts:

• cold fronts
• warm fronts
• occluded fronts
• stationary fronts

 Meets and takes

• ver a warm air

mass (moves under the warm air, pushing it up).

 Cold fronts can

move fast, producing thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow. Cooler weather usually follows a cold front because the warm air is pushed away from the Earth’s surface.

 Warm air mass meets

and overtakes a cold air mass (warm air moves over cold air and replaces it).

 Warm fronts

generally bring nimbostratus clouds and long rains. After the front passes, weather conditions are warm and clear.

 A faster-moving cold air mass overtakes a slower-

moving warm air mass and forces the warm air up. The cold air keeps moving until it meets another cold air mass. Leads to cool temperatures and lots

• f precipitation (rain or snow).

 A cold air mass meets a warm air mass, but

little movement occurs.

 Usually clouds and long rains are found.

 On on side, write the NAME of one of the four

fronts, and draw a DIAGRAM of it.

 On the other side, write a DESCRIPTION of the

front in your own words.

 Repeat for a total of 4 cards (4 different fronts).