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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
over 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).
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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
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Meets and takes
over 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.
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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.
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A faster-moving cold air mass overtakes a slowermoving 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
of precipitation (rain or snow).
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A cold air mass meets a warm air mass, but
little movement occurs.
Usually clouds and long rains are found.
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On one 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).