Air Masses and Weather Patterns

These flashcards cover key concepts about air masses and their influence on weather patterns, types of air masses, and fronts.

What is an air mass?

A huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure at any given height.

What are the four major types of air masses that influence weather in North America?

Maritime tropical, continental tropical, maritime polar, and continental polar.

What type of air mass forms over oceans?

Maritime air masses.

What type of weather does a maritime tropical air mass typically bring in summer?

Summer showers and thunderstorms.

What are the characteristics of continental polar air masses?

Cold, dry air masses that can bring bitterly cold weather with low humidity.

What moves air masses in the U.S.?

The prevailing westerlies and jet streams.

What is a cold front?

When a rapidly moving cold air mass overtakes and slides under a slowly moving warm air mass, causing clouds to form.

What type of weather does a warm front typically produce?

Light rain or snow, with the potential for rainy or cloudy weather lasting several days.

What happens during a stationary front?

Cold and warm fronts meet, but neither can move the other, leading to condensation of water vapor and precipitation.

What is an occluded front?

When a warm air mass is caught between two cooler air masses, causing the warm air to be pushed up, potentially resulting in cloudy weather and precipitation.