Air Masses and Fronts

Air Mass Large body of air passes slowly over a large area. Takes on the properties of that air mass. Usually temperature and humidity. Source region is where the air mass comes from. U.S. is not a good source region because weather disturbance move quickly which limits air to stay in one area.

3 Major Air Masses 3 Air Masses Polar Artic Tropical

3 Locations Maritime – ocean Continental – land Artic – Very cold land up near Canada.

Fronts Where 2 air masses meet with different properties. Area between the 2 air masses is called the frontal zone. Temperature, humidity, and wind direction can vary greatly. Strong storms, tornadoes and squalls can occur.

Types of fronts Cold Front: edge of cold-air mass: the boundary zone of an advancing cold-air mass as it replaces warmer air Warm Front: A front along which an advancing mass of warm air rises over a mass of cold air

More Fronts Occluded Front: a composite front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front and forces it aloft Stationary Front: a weather condition in which the boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass is stationary