1. Mrs. Wharton’s Science Class

2.  Huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity and air pressure  Scientists classify air masses by TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

3.  Tropical ( warm) air masses- form in the tropics and have LOW air pressure.  Polar (cold) air masses- form north of 50 degrees north latitude, and south of 50 degrees south latitude. Have HIGH air pressure.

4.  Maritime- air masses that occur over water. Are HUMID.  Continental- air masses that occur over land. Are DRY.

5.  When air masses meet, and do not mix a front is formed.  When air masses meet at a front, the collision causes storms and changeable weather.

6.  Moves quickly under a warm front.  Brings cold, dry air.

7.  When warm air moves over cold air  Move slowly and bring warm, humid air.

8.  Forms when cold and warm air masses meet but neither one has enough force to move the other.  It may bring many days of clouds and precipitation.

9.  Forms when a warm air mass is caught between two cooler air masses.  Warm air is cut off from the ground.  May cause clouds and precipitation.

10.  A swirling center of low pressure  CYCLONES AND DECREASING AIR PRESSURE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH STORMS AND PRECIPITATION.  Anticyclone- are HIGH pressure centers of dry air.