1. Bell Ringer
Describe general air temperature on a cloudy night. Compare this to a clear night.
Describe the type of weather expected with each of the following:
Anticyclone
Cyclone

2. Air Masses

3. What is an Air Mass?
An air mass is an immense body of air that is characterized by similar temperatures and amounts of moisture at any given altitude

4. Moving Masses!
Air Masses move from areas of high pressure to low pressure (pressure differentials)
When an air mass moves out of the region over which it formed, it carries its temperature and moisture conditions
As it moves, the characteristics of an air mass change and so does the weather in the area over which the air mass moves

5. Classifying Air Masses
Air masses are classified by temperature and surface area over which they form

6. Classifying Air Masses
NAME
P – Polar
LOCATION
High Latitudes towards the poles
TEMPERATURE
Cold Temps
T – Tropical
Low Latitudes towards the equator
Warm Temps
C – Continental
Over land mass
Cold or warm, depending on the latitude
M – Maritime
Over water

7. Ocean/Water
Land

8. Four Basic Types of Air Masses
cP – Continental Polar
dry and cool
cold and dry in winter and summer
cT – Continental Tropical
dry and warm
hot, drought-like conditions
mT – Maritime Tropical
wet and warm
source of precipitation in the United States
mP – Maritime Polar
wet and cold
mild, humid, unstable cold air from Canada

9. Weather Patterns in North America
Weather in North America is influenced by continental polar and maritime tropical air masses

10. Identify and explain the four main types of air masses.
Exit Ticket
Identify and explain the four main types of air masses.