Air
79
10/27/14
Masses and Fronts
Starter:
80
10/27/14
Application: Air mass sort
Air Masses and Fronts
Object
Description
Practice : Notes glue here
when done
Exit:
Using the information you learned today,
explain how an air mass and a front would
affect the weather in an area.
Connection: Air mass Map
January 27,
2014
AGENDA
Objectives 8.10 B: Students
will identify and recognize how
global patterns of atmospheric
movement influence local
weather using weather maps
that show high and low pressures
and fronts by reading and
writing while completing notes
and an activity
1 Starter
2. Practice-Notes
3. Activity
4. Ws
5. Exit
Table of Contents
Date
Lecture/ Activity/ Lab
10/16
Unit 5 vocabulary
10/17 Quiz/Writing
10/20 Weathering Notes
10/21 Weathering Lab
10/22
Climate, Wind and Ocean Currents
10/23
Convection and Ocean Currents
10/24 Wind and Currents Writing
10/27 Fronts and Air Masses
Page
65-66
67-68
69-70
71-72
73-74
74-76
77-78
79-80
Air Masses and Fronts
Air Masses



Air masses have different
temperatures and humidity
levels
When they collide the more
dense air mass goes under the
less dense air mass
There are 5 types and are
classified according to where
they form:
 If an air mass forms over land
(continental) it has low
humidity
 If an air mass forms over an
ocean (maritime) it has high
humidity
 Air masses are either hot or
cold
Maritime Tropical (mT)




Forms over ocean
near equator
Holds warm, moist
air
In summer- hot,
humid
In winter-rain,
snow
Maritime Polar (mP)




Forms over the
polar regions
Holds cold, moist
air
During summercooler temps.
During winterheavy snow and
cold temperatures
Continental Tropical (cP)


Forms over
Mexico only
in the
summer
time.
Brings dry,
hot air to
Southwestern
US
Continental Polar (cP) &
Continental Arctic (cA)




Forms over land in
North Canada
Holds cold, dry air
Causes extremely
cold temps in the
US in winter
Continental Arctic
Masses only happen
in the winter
Fronts
Fronts are the
leading edges of air
masses with different
air temperature
and/or humidity.
When a front passes
over an area, it is
marked by changes in
temperature,
moisture, wind
speed and direction,
and precipitation.
Cold Front
Occurs when a polar
(cold) air mass runs into
a tropical (warm) air
mass
The warm air is less
dense and gets pushed
above the cold air mass
Temperatures drop, and
there is usually
precipitation
Thunderstorms are
usually a result of a cold
front
Warm Front




Occurs at the place
where a warm air
mass replaces a cold
air mass.
The warm air mass is
denser and will slowly
push the cold air,
eventually rising above
it.
Results in warmer
temperatures.
Usually precipitation.
3. Occluded
Front


a. Occurs when a cold
front overtakes a warm
front
b. Has cool temperatures
and large amounts of rain
and snow
4. Stationary
Front



a. When a warm air
mass meets a cold air
mass and no
movement occurs
b. Brings drizzly rain
c. Clear, warm weather
afterward
42
Cold Air
Warm air
56
Application/Connection


AIR Mass Sort
With a partner, match the word with
the definition that describes it.
151
1/27/14
Air Masses and Fronts
Starter:
152
1/27/14
Application/Connection:
Air Masses and Fronts
Current Activity: Turn in when Glue foldable here and turn in
questions.
finished
Practice : Notes glue here
when done
Connection/Exit:
Relate air temperature to the
type of precipitation that will
fall.