1. Science News

2. The study of atmospheric phenomena
What is Meteorology?
The study of atmospheric phenomena
Greek root word meteoros.. High in the air

3. Examples of meteors…

4. Examples of meteors…

5. Anything high in the sky
Raindrops
Rainbows
Dust
Snowflakes
Fog
Lighting

6. Atmosphere phenomena are classified as types of meteors
Hydrometeors: cloud droplets & precipitation (rain, snow & sleet)
Lithometeors: suspended particles (smoke, dust & haze)
Electrometers: signs of electricity (thunder & lighting)

7. Variations of Atmosphere Phenomena
Weather: short term variations in atmospheric phenomena
Climate: long term average of variations in weather for a particular area (over 30 years)

8. 4 causes of weather The uneven solar heating of the earth’s surface
Transfer of thermal energy (R,C,C)
Water phase change (E,C,P) releasing latent heat
Air masses traveling & colliding

10. Air Masses
Air Mass: a large body of air that has the same characteristics (Temperature & Moisture) as its source region
Source Region: area of earth’s surface that effects air mass formation
Air Mass Modification: As it moves over land or water with different characteristics, it transfers thermal energy and/or moisture

11. Air Mass Classification
Moisture: influenced by surface
designated m for maritime (wet) &
c for continental (dry)
Temperature: influenced by latitude
High Latitude = Cold & Low Latitude = Warm
A (arctic), P (polar) and T (tropical)

12. Mid latitudes are zones of clashing air masses = stormy

13. Air Masses Effecting North America
Much of the weather in North America, especially weather east of the Rocky Mountains, is influenced by
continental polar (cP) &
maritime tropical (mT) air masses.

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15. Air Mass Characteristics
p. 316 Table 12.1

16. Continental polar (cP)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER
Continental polar (cP)
From northern Canada and interior of Alaska
Winter very cold, dry
Summer cool, dry
Responsible for lake-effect snows
Mass crosses the Great Lakes

17. AIR MASSES & WEATHER Maritime polar (mP)
From North (P)acific & (A)tlantic Oceans
Winter (P) mild, humid (A) cold, humid
Summer (P) mild, humid (A) cold, humid
Influence in the northeastern & western United States causing cold temperatures and snow

18. Continental tropical (cT)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER
Continental tropical (cT)
From Southwest and Mexico
Winter warm, dry
Summer hot, dry

19. Maritime tropical (mT)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER
Maritime tropical (mT)
From the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean
Winter warm, humid
Summer hot, humid
Eastern USA Usually unstable!