Weather Review 1
A. Define the four air masses and know where they would originate:
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2001/es
2001page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
http://www.srh.weather.gov/srh/jetstream/synoptic/airmass.htm
Air masses can control the weather for a relatively long time period: from a
period of days, to months. Most weather occurs along the periphery of
these air masses at boundaries called fronts.
Maritime Tropical – wintertime source for the SW US is the subtropical East
Pacific Ocean. mT air that influences weather east of the Rocky Mountains
comes from the Gulf of Mexico, but only influences winter weather in the SE
states. Occasionally, slow moving weather systems in SW flow aloft can draw
up moisture at mid and low levels producing precipitation.
Warm and moist air
Maritime Polar – typically located poleward of 60 degrees north and south
Cool and moist
Continental Polar – wintertime bitter cold can extent to Southern US and even
Florida causing crop damage. Require long, clear nights, which means strong
radiational cooling of air near the surface. A stable air mass with little
moisture added so air is dry
Cold and dry
Continental Tropical – typically located within about 25 degrees of the equator
Hot and dry
B. What is a front?
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2002/es
2002page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
A front is a boundary between 2 air masses with different temperatures, density, or moisture
1. Define and draw examples of the four types of fronts:
Front type
Cold front
Warm front
Stationary front
Occluded front
Definition
Sketch symbol
occurs when colder air advances toward warm air. The
cold air wedges under the warm air like a plow. As the
warm air is lifted, it cools and water vapor condenses,
forming clouds. Shown on a map as a blue line with
triangles. Strong thunderstorms, high winds, and
lightning are associated with a cold front.
form when lighter, warmer air advances over
heavier, colder air. A warm front is drawn on
weather maps as a red line with red
semicircles. Associated with clearing
conditions and fair weather.
Occurs when a boundary between air masses
stops advancing. Stationary fronts may remain
in the same place for several days, producing
light wind and steady precipitation (rain or
snow). Shown on a map as an alternating red
and blue line, red semi-circles point toward the
cold air and blue triangles point toward the
warm air
involves 3 air masses of different
temperatures (colder air, cool air, and warm
air). An occluded front may form when a cold
air mass moves toward cool air mass with the
warm air being sandwiched between the two.
Occluded fronts are shown on maps as purple
(or pink) lines with triangles and semicircles
on the same side.
purple or pink,
C. What is the source of all ENERGY in our atmosphere? Sun
D. Explain the Coriolis Effect and how it relates to our air mass directions.
The rotation of Earth causes moving air and water to appear to turn to the right north of the equator and to the
left south of the equator. The Coriolis effect creates distinct wind patterns that not only influence the weather,
they also determine when and where ships and planes travel most efficiently. (Think about the merry go round
video example.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPs_OdQOYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_36MiCUS1ro&NR=1
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1904/es1904page01.cfm?chapter_no=visu
alization
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/noaa/lesson08/l8ex1.htm
E. Define:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y3mfAGVn1c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MVEePXwAeI&list=PL6C7172094DD3D70F
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8Z4SCETPs&list=PL6C7172094DD3D70F
2. Conduction – transfer of energy when molecules bump into each other (solids, ex.
Pan on top of stove)
3. Radiation – transfer of energy through waves (EMS part of the light spectrum) (SUN)
4. Convection – transfer of energy through flow of material (liquids and gases) (ex.
Convection oven)
F. Sea and Land Breezes and Wind Zones:
5. Demonstrate your knowledge of sea and land breezes by sketching an example of each:
air moves from more dense to less dense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0d3fGew-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQV72Yzmjyc
Sea Breezes- Day
Air moves from water- colder and more dense to sand which is warm and less dense
Land Breezes- Night
Air moves from land which is cold and more dense to water which is warm and less dense
Label each convection cell properly:
- a. Hadley
- b. Ferrel
- c. Polar
Label the degrees of latitude
Explain why the air rises and sinks.
3. C Polar 60 °, clockwise
2. B Ferrell 30 °,
counterclockwise
1. A Hadley 0 °, clockwise
Warm air rises and is less dense
Cold air sinks and is more dense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Fn_7W1KGA