1. Understanding Weather
Chapter 16
Understanding Weather

2. Chap 16, Sect 2 (Air Masses and Fronts)
Objectives:
Identify the four kinds of air masses that influence weather in the United States.
Describe the four major types of fronts, and how they cause changes in weather.

3. What Are Air Masses?
Intro to Air Masses

4. Tech Terms:
air mass – a huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure throughout.
maritime – air masses that form over water and are humid.
continental – air masses that form over land and are dry.

5. polar – cold air masses that form in the north and have high pressure.
tropical – warm air masses that form in the tropics and have low pressure.
front – the area where air masses meet and do not mix.

6. Tips from a Meteorologist
Air Masses and Fronts
(putting it all together)
Tips from a Meteorologist
Snow Day?