C nvecti n When air or water is heated by . . conduction it expands and rises. It becomes less dense than air. When the air or water cools, it sinks and contracts. It becomes more dense

Conduction Materials of different temperatures touch. The energy is transferred through contact

Radiation Sun sends radiation (UV rays) to the earth through waves of energy

Warm Front Forms when lighter, warmer air advances over heavier, colder air.  A warm front is drawn on weather maps as a red line with red semicircles. (like the sun)

Cold Front a blue line with triangles (like icicles), occurs when colder air advances toward warm air and forces the warm air out of the area.

High Pressure H Air is sinking More Dense No clouds As air falls it warms, preventing clouds from forming. Clear skies No precipitation (no rain) H

Sea Breeze As the air over the land heats up the cold air over the water moves in under it.

Land Breeze The land cools off quicker than the water. As the air above the water moves up the air from the land moves under and over the water.

Air Masses Continental Arctic: Very cold and dry. Maritime tropical: Maritime polar Cool and damp, bringing cloudy weather. Maritime tropical: Warm and very humid, forming over the Gulf of Mexico. Continental tropical: Very hot and dry, forming over Mexico and the Southwest. Continental polar: Cold and dry, forming further south than Arctic air masses.

Coriolis Effect Winds curve around the earth

Atmosphere The gases that surround the Earth. Divided into layers based on temperature change.