Download air masses fronts and storms notes

Air Masses
Air Mass­a huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
Continental­Air from over the land; DRY (ex: Canada; Mexico)
Maritime­Air from over the water; MOIST/HUMID (ex: Atlantic
Ocean; Pacific Ocean)
Tropical­Air from around the equator; HOT Polar­Air from around the poles; COLD
Oct 26­1:34 PM
Fronts
Air masses move and bump into each other. The place where two air masses meet is called a front.
There are 4 types of fronts:
1) Cold front: Cold air runs into warm air; warm air rises, clouds form, and rain or thunderstorms can form. Cold fronts move quickly. Symbol:
2) Warm front: Warm air runs into cold air. Showers and light rain usually form. Warm fronts move slowly, so rain can fall for several days. Symbol:
3) Stationary front: Warm and cold air meet, but neither has the force to move the other. Clouds or precipitation common. Symbol:
4) Occluded front: Warm air mass is caught between two cold masses. Symbol:
Oct 26­1:36 PM
Air masses are described using a combination of the above terms:
Continental Polar­Cold and Dry (Canada)
Maritime Polar­Cold and Moist (NE and NW Oceans)
Continental Tropical­Warm and Dry (Mexico)
Maritime Tropical­Warm and Moist (SE and SW Oceans)
Oct 26­1:35 PM
High pressure=fair weather; clockwise winds
Low pressure=storms and precipitation; counterclockwise winds
Oct 26­1:37 PM
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Storms
Hurricanes
• Usually form in the Atlantic Ocean north of the equator over warm water.
• Highest winds and lowest pressures are closest to the center; the eye is the center of the hurricane­
very calm.
• Hurricanes weaken as they pass over land.
Builds UP from the ocean
Oct 26­1:37 PM
Tornadoes
• Rapidly whirling funnel shaped cloud that comes DOWN from a storm cloud; • Cause great damage
• Has the fastest winds
• Likely to form at frontal boundaries where strong thunderstorms are present
Oct 26­1:38 PM
Thunderstorms
• Storm with thunder, lightning, heavy rains and strong winds; • Form in large cumulonimbus clouds; • Usually form along a cold front
• May produce hail
Oct 26­1:38 PM
Oct 26­1:40 PM
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