1. Air Masses and Fronts

2. 1. Air Mass Quick Facts Air masses are…
LARGE (1,000 miles or more) and take weeks to form
Similar humidity and temperature
named for their SOURCE REGION
Identified by two letters
Continental (c)
Maritime (m)
Arctic (A)
Polar (P)
Tropical (T)

3. Movement of Air Masses
When Air Masses move they bring their temperature and humidity to new areas
cP moving into Michigan brings…
mT moving in to Michigan brings…

4. Air Masses Form and Move in Predictable Ways because of…
Tilt and Orbit of Earth cause unequal Energy Absorption
Shape and Rotation of Earth Cause the Coriolis Effect which create Prevailing Winds

5. Name the Air Masses
cA mA
cP mP
cT mT

6. Front… a boundary between Air Masses

7. 2. Cold Fronts vs. Warm Fronts
Three Important Notes
Shape
bulldozer vs. ramp
Cloud Types
cumulonimbus vs. stratus
3. Precipitation
intense vs. steady

8. Air Masses and Fronts Quiz Name: ____________________
How large are air masses?
What is a source region?
What are the characteristics of a cP air mass?
What are the characteristics of an mT air mass?
What do we call the boundary between air masses?
Cold Front Warm Front _
What is the shape?
What type of clouds?
What type of precipitation?