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How do you recognize a front?
1. Sharp temperature change over short distance 2. Changes in air's moisture content (Dew Point) 3. Shifts in wind direction 4. Pressure changes 5. Clouds and precipitation patterns
cold front
Expect temperature to decrease dramatically with this type of weather front. You can also expect unstable weather such as thunderstorms With this frontal system, the temperatures will cool down significantly
barometer
For a meteorologist to properly measure the pressure outside, they need to use this tool
San Diego, CA is experiencing very sunny, dry skies. They must have this pressure system nearby
High Air Pressure
When Kalli arrived in Tulsa, OK on Friday, she observed the weather that was lousy with lots of clouds. Tulsa is undergoing this type of pressure system
Low Air Pressure
What types of air mass would likely, to bring wet, cold weather?
Maritime
What type of air mass would affect people located in Maine?
Maritime Polar
Maritime Tropical Air Mass
Moist, and Humid, Forms over water
Betsy noticed that it had been raining for at least three days straight. This weather front must be in the area where she lives
Stationary Front
2nd Category Air masses temperature
Tells whether an air mass formed close to equator. Tropical—air masses form near the equator. Air becomes warm as it gains energy from the warm land or water. Polar—air masses form far from the equator. Air becomes cool as it loses energy to the cold land or water.
What two things describe an air mass?
Temperature and Humidity
What type of weather do you expect in a low pressure system? Why?
The rising air can cause stormy weather Because as air rises, it cools
On Monday in El Paso, TX, the high temperature was 72* F. By Wednesday, the high temperature increased to 93*F. This type of weather front had come through
Warm Front
low air pressure
Warm air rises with this pressure system and it can often bring cloudy and stormy weather conditions This type of pressure system will have cloudy and stormy weather conditions
Warm front
When cold air retreats and warm air moves in to replace it Less dense warm air rises over cooler air (forms clouds) Slope is gradual Possibility of being violent Usually slower than a cold front
warm front
When the weather front passes through an area, the temperatures will increase Warmer temperatures can be assumed with this type of weather front
characteristics of air mass when cold and wet
Where Earth's surface is cold, the air becomes cold. Where Earth's surface is wet, the air becomes moist. As it moves, it brings its temperature & moisture to new locations.
stationary front
With these types of front, an area will experience persistent rain showers and storms for days This type of weather front often will stick around for a few days bringing ongoing rain or snow
high air pressure
With this type of pressure system, you would experience clear and dry skies. Cold air sinks within an area with this pressure system. You can expect dry, sunny skies with this pressure system
What type of weather do you expect in a high pressure system? Why?
clear skies and calm air Air sinks and warms up, water droplets evaporate
Brief, heavy storms are likely
cold front
Cold air pushes warm air
cold front
Moves into regions quickly
cold front
continental polar air mass
dry and cold
Air Mass
is a large volume of air in which temperature & humidity are nearly the same in different locations at the same altitude. Can cover thousands of square kilometers Forms when the air over a large region of Earth sits in one place for many days. The air gradually takes on the characteristics of the land or water below it. Where Earth's surface is cold, the air becomes cold. Where Earth's surface is wet, the air becomes moist. As an ______moves, it brings its temperature & moisture to new locations.
maritime tropical air mass
moist and warm
Storms along a cold front are usually ____ ____ ______.
short and violent
Air masses stop moving
stationary front
When a new air mass moves over your area, you can expect ____ _______ ______ _______.
the weather to change
Many hours or days of steady light rain
warm front
Moves into regions slowly
warm front
Produces Stratus Clouds
warm front
Warm air pushes cold air
warm front
movement of an air mass
-Air masses move with the global pattern of winds. -In U.S. air masses generally move from west to east. -When an air mass moves to a new region, it carries along its characteristic moisture and temperature.
Cold Front
-Often produce tall cumulonimbus cloud and precipitation -Move into regions quickly -Cold dense air moves forward and the warmer air ahead of it is pushed upward. -Water vapor condenses as the air rises. -Brief, heavy storms are likely -After the storms, the air is cooler and often very clear.
low pressure system
-Surrounds a center of low pressure. -Air moves up and inward. -Produces stormy weather. -Moves counterclockwise
What happens when cold, dense air pushes warmer air? What kind of weather would you expect?
A cold front occurs (Pushes Upward) Cloudy and Stormy Weather
high pressure system
Air sinks DOWN and spreads out. Formed when air moves all the way around a high-pressure center. Large and change slowly Moves clockwise Normally brings clear skies and calm air. As air sinks, it warms up. Water droplets evaporate = clouds disappear.
Warm front
Clouds may be noticed over large distance before actual frontal line (1st Cirrus, Cirrostratus, Altostratus, Nimbostratus, Stratus, Cumulus) Generally produces precipitation over a large area Can form drylines
Joey and Jamal noticed dark gray skies covered their city of Cleveland, OH with thunder rolling in the background. This type of front was coming through their area.
Cold Front
Where do all dry warm air masses start out?
Continental Tropical (equator)
