1. Predicting the weather
Air masses

2. Air Masses
An air mass is a large body of air with about the same temperature and humidity throughout.
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.

3. Air Masses An air mass can cover thousands of square miles.
There are four basic types of air masses: Continental Polar, Maritime Polar, Continental Tropical, Maritime Tropical

4. Colder air masses are termed polar or arctic.
Warmer air masses are deemed tropical.
Continental air masses are dry.
Tropical air masses are moist.
Weather fronts separate air masses with different density (temperature and/or moisture) characteristics.

5. Air Masses
Continental polar – cold and dry, form over land near the poles
Maritime polar - cold and humid, form over water near the poles
Continental tropical – warm and dry, form over land near the equator
Maritime tropical – warm and humid, form over water near the equator
There is also a 5th type, continental arctic – dry and frigid air, rarely makes it far enough south to affect weather patterns.

6. AIR MASSES

7. AIR MASSES

8. AIR MASSES
Weather maps are used to help scientists follow and track the movement of air masses.

9. Brain Pop
What is Weather?