Friday 4/6/18 Notebook Entry: Describe what you think is happening in this picture. I took this picture a few years ago driving between Townsend and Three Forks.

Air Masses Types of Air Masses Air masses can be classified according to temperature and humidity.

What is an Air Mass? A huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity and air pressure throughout the whole air mass. Can be thousands of square miles in width Can be as tall as 3-5 miles

Weather Investigation Part 3 Work with your partner to Answer the questions in part 3

What air mass am I? Winter = clear, cool, and dry air Summer = storms may occur when air mass meets a maritime tropical cold & dry air. Form over land & in areas further from the equator.

mT What air mass am I? Summer = hot, humid weather. Warm, Wet air Winter = bring heavy rain or snow Summer = hot, humid weather. Warm, Wet air Form over oceans near the tropics. They form over the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. mT

What Air Mass am I? Cool, humid air Summer = bring rain, fog, and mild temps to the west coast. Winter = lots of rain, mild winter temps. Form over the cold oceans. Cool, humid air Affect the west coast more than the east coast.

What Air Mass am I? Skies are generally clear Large temperature changes during the day Only affects the U.S. during the summer VERY Hot, dry air Form over land closer to Equator

Air Masses The characteristics of an air mass is based on where on the planet it forms Check chart

Why would the West half of the US have less humidity than the East half?