Air Masses and Fronts in Meteorology

 
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Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses
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Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses
are Important!
 
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Air masses move and strongly influence
the changing of the weather, making them
very important to understand
 
Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses
are Important!
 
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Air masses move and strongly influence
the changing of the weather, making them
very important to understand
 
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Formation of Air Masses
 
Air masses attain their characteristics from
the part of earth’s surface over which they
exist
 
Formation of Air Masses
 
Air masses attain their characteristics from
the part of earth’s surface over which they
exist
    
Simple Examples
      - air sitting over tropical ocean becomes
        warm and moist
 
      - air sitting over a desert will be warm
        and dry
 
Formation of Air Masses
 
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Formation of Air Masses
 
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     - Source regions are very large
 
Formation of Air Masses
 
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     - Source regions are very large
 
     - Source regions occur at high and low
        latitudes (mid-latitudes are too variable)
 
Air Masses
 
Air masses are classified according to their
temperature and moisture characteristics:
 
 
 
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Air Masses
 
Air masses are classified according to their
temperature and moisture characteristics:
 
 
 
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Air Masses
 
There are 5 different types of air mass:
 
  
1) Continental arctic
        2) Continental polar
        3) Continental tropical
        4) Maritime polar
        5) Maritime tropical
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
Form over high-latitude land surfaces
(including ice)
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
Form over high-latitude land surfaces
(including ice)
In winter, very little solar radiation causes
net cooling of air mass
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
Form over high-latitude land surfaces
(including ice)
In winter, very little solar radiation causes
net cooling of air mass
Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain
much water vapor
 
Water Vapor in Cold Air
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
Form over high-latitude land surfaces
(including ice)
In winter, very little solar radiation causes
net cooling of air mass
Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain
much water vapor
Typically clear and cloudless
 
Continental Polar Air Mass
 
Continental polar air masses are dry and
cold
Form over high-latitude land surfaces
(including ice)
In winter, very little solar radiation causes
net cooling of air mass
Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain
much water vapor
Typically clear and cloudless
Very stable (resists vertical motion)
 
Continental Arctic Air Masses
 
Continental arctic air masses are
extremely dry, extremely cold versions of
continental polar air masses
 
Continental Arctic Air Masses
 
Continental arctic air masses are
extremely dry, extremely cold versions of
continental polar air masses
 
The only difference: Continental arctic air
masses are shallower than continental
polar air masses
 
Maritime Polar Air Masses
 
Maritime polar air masses are moist and
cool
 
Maritime Polar Air Masses
 
Maritime polar air masses are moist and
cool
Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes
 
Maritime Polar Air Masses
 
Maritime polar air masses are moist and
cool
Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes
Cool and moist due to contact with cold
ocean water
 
Maritime Polar Air Masses
 
Maritime polar air masses are moist and
cool
Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes
Cool and moist due to contact with cold
ocean water
Generally cloudy
 
Continental Tropical Air Masses
 
Continental tropical air masses are dry
and warm
 
Continental Tropical Air Masses
 
Continental tropical air masses are dry
and warm
Form over low-latitude land surfaces
 
Continental Tropical Air Masses
 
Continental tropical air masses are dry
and warm
Form over low-latitude land surfaces
Hot and dry due to contact with hot land
surfaces with little moisture
 
Continental Tropical Air Masses
 
Continental tropical air masses are dry
and warm
Form over low-latitude land surfaces
Hot and dry due to contact with hot land
surfaces with little moisture
Generally cloud-free
 
Continental Tropical Air Masses
 
Continental tropical air masses are dry
and warm
Form over low-latitude land surfaces
Hot and dry due to contact with hot land
surfaces with little moisture
Generally cloud-free
Fairly unstable due to heating from below
(but dryness inhibits cloud formation)
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
warm
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
warm
Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
warm
Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters
Unstable conditions (moist warm air at
surface)
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
warm
Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters
Unstable conditions (moist warm air at
surface)
Generally cloudy and partly cloudy
 
Maritime Tropical Air Masses
 
Maritime tropical air masses are 
moist
 and
warm
Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters
Unstable conditions (moist warm air at
surface)
Generally cloudy and partly cloudy
Responsible for daily
showers/thunderstorms in the southeast
U.S.
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Pineapple express – a weather
phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Pineapple express – a weather
phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.
Constant flow of maritime tropical air into
the NW U.S.
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Pineapple express – a weather
phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.
Constant flow of maritime tropical air into
the NW U.S.
Significant orographic (mountain-
induced) rainfall
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Pineapple express – a weather
phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.
Constant flow of maritime tropical air into
the NW U.S.
Significant orographic (mountain-
induced) rainfall
High freezing (and snow) levels
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Pineapple express – a weather
phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.
Constant flow of maritime tropical air into
the NW U.S.
Significant orographic (mountain-
induced) rainfall
High freezing (and snow) levels
Causes destructive flooding
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
The Importance of Different Air
Masses: The Pineapple Express
 
Summary of Air Masses
 
Fronts
 
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Fronts
 
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Cause significant changes in the
weather (wind shift, temperature,
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Fronts
 
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Cause significant changes in the
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Usually associated with clouds,
precipitation, and sometimes severe
weather
 
Fronts
 
There are 4 different kinds of fronts:
 
 
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Fronts
 
There are 4 different kinds of fronts:
 
 
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Fronts
 
There are 4 different kinds of fronts:
 
 
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Fronts
 
There are 4 different kinds of fronts:
 
 
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Cold Fronts
 
Cold fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing cold air
 
 
 
 
 
Cold Fronts
 
Cold fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing cold air
 
 
 
 
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold Fronts
 
Cold fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing cold air
 
 
 
 
 
A rapid decrease in temperature occurs
behind the front
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold Fronts
 
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Cold Fronts
 
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Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
 
Cold Fronts
 
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S
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Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
Often produce brief, intense showers and
thunderstorms
 
Cold Fronts
 
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Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
Often produce brief, intense showers and
thunderstorms
Often located in a pressure trough
 
Cold Fronts
 
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S
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a
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s
Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
Often produce brief, intense showers and
thunderstorms
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with a strong
decrease in moisture as well as temperature
 
Cold Fronts
 
V
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S
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Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
Often produce brief, intense showers and
thunderstorms
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with a strong
decrease in moisture as well as temperature
1:100 vertical slope
 
Cold Fronts
 
V
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S
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s
Move 0-30 mph
Lift the warm air into which its advancing
Often produce brief, intense showers and
thunderstorms
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with a strong
decrease in moisture as well as temperature
1:100 vertical slope
Wind shift is typically southerly to westerly
 
Cold Fronts
 
Cold Fronts
 
Cold Fronts
 
Warm Fronts
 
Warm fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing warm air
 
 
 
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
Warm fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing warm air
 
 
 
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Warm Fronts
 
Warm fronts are at the leading edge of
advancing warm air
 
 
 
 
A decrease in temperature occurs ahead
of the front (less pronounced temperature
gradient than with a cold front)
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Warm Fronts
 
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Warm Fronts
 
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Warm Fronts
 
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Often produce long-lasting, steady,
stratiform precipitation
 
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
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Often produce long-lasting, steady,
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Often located in a pressure trough
 
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
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Often produce long-lasting, steady,
stratiform precipitation
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with an increase in
moisture as well as temperature
 
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
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Often produce long-lasting, steady,
stratiform precipitation
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with an increase in
moisture as well as temperature
1:200 vertical slope
 
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
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Often produce long-lasting, steady,
stratiform precipitation
Often located in a pressure trough
Usually are associated with an increase in
moisture as well as temperature
1:200 vertical slope
Wind shift is typically easterly to southerly
 
 
Warm Fronts
 
Warm Fronts
 
Stationary Fronts
 
Stationary fronts are located at a boundary
between air masses that isn’t moving
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Cold air
 
Warm air
 
Occluded Fronts
 
Occluded fronts form when a cold front
catches up with a warm front (traditional
explanation)
 
 
 
 
 
Cold air
 
Cool air
 
Cold air
 
Cool air
 
Occluded Fronts: The Traditional
Explanation
 
Occluded Fronts: The Traditional
Explanation
 
Occluded Fronts: The Traditional
Explanation
 
Drylines
 
Drylines exist at a boundary between a dry
and moist air mass (without a temperature
gradient)
 
Drylines
 
Drylines exist at a boundary between a dry
and moist air mass (without a temperature
gradient)
Advancing drylines act like cold fronts
since dry air is more dense than moist air
 
Drylines
 
Drylines exist at a boundary between a dry
and moist air mass (without a temperature
gradient)
Advancing drylines act like cold fronts
since dry air is more dense than moist air
Drylines are very common in the South
Plains (due to local geography)
 
Drylines
 
Drylines exist at a boundary between a dry
and moist air mass (without a temperature
gradient)
Advancing drylines act like cold fronts
since dry air is more dense than moist air
Drylines are very common in the South
Plains (due to local geography)
Severe weather is common along drylines
 
Drylines
 
Drylines exist at a boundary between a dry
and moist air mass (without a temperature
gradient)
Advancing drylines act like cold fronts
since dry air is more dense than moist air
Drylines are very common in the South
Plains (due to local geography)
Severe weather is common along drylines
Drylines can both retreat and advance
 
Drylines
 
Drylines
 
Cold Front or Dryline?
 
Cold fronts and drylines are sometimes
difficult to discern due to dirurnal effects
like daytime heating/nighttime cooling
 
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Exploring Chapter 9 on air masses and fronts, this topic delves into the significance of air masses in influencing weather patterns. It explains how air masses develop specific characteristics based on their source regions, which can be warm and moist or warm and dry, depending on where they form. The concept of fronts as boundaries between air masses is also discussed, highlighting their role in weather changes. Source regions, which are vast areas on Earth, play a crucial role in shaping air masses, especially in high and low latitudes. Understanding these fundamental meteorological elements is essential for predicting and comprehending weather phenomena.

  • Air Masses
  • Fronts
  • Meteorology
  • Weather Patterns
  • Source Regions

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  1. Chapter 9 Air Masses and Fronts

  2. Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses are Important! Air mass a large region of air (thousands of square miles) having similar temperature, pressure, and moisture characteristics

  3. Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses are Important! Air mass a large region of air (thousands of square miles) having similar temperature, pressure, and moisture characteristics Air masses move and strongly influence the changing of the weather, making them very important to understand

  4. Theme of Chapter 9: Air Masses are Important! Air mass a large region of air (thousands of square miles) having similar temperature, pressure, and moisture characteristics Air masses move and strongly influence the changing of the weather, making them very important to understand Fronts boundaries between air masses

  5. Formation of Air Masses Air masses attain their characteristics from the part of earth s surface over which they exist

  6. Formation of Air Masses Air masses attain their characteristics from the part of earth s surface over which they exist Simple Examples - air sitting over tropical ocean becomes warm and moist - air sitting over a desert will be warm and dry

  7. Formation of Air Masses Source region an area of earth where air masses form

  8. Formation of Air Masses Source region an area of earth where air masses form - Source regions are very large

  9. Formation of Air Masses Source region an area of earth where air masses form - Source regions are very large - Source regions occur at high and low latitudes (mid-latitudes are too variable)

  10. Air Masses Air masses are classified according to their temperature and moisture characteristics: 1) Based on moisture continental (dry) or maritime (moist)

  11. Air Masses Air masses are classified according to their temperature and moisture characteristics: 1) Based on moisture continental (dry) or maritime (moist) 2) Based on temperature tropical (warm), polar (cold), or arctic (very cold)

  12. Air Masses There are 5 different types of air mass: 1) Continental arctic 2) Continental polar 3) Continental tropical 4) Maritime polar 5) Maritime tropical

  13. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold

  14. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold Form over high-latitude land surfaces (including ice)

  15. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold Form over high-latitude land surfaces (including ice) In winter, very little solar radiation causes net cooling of air mass

  16. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold Form over high-latitude land surfaces (including ice) In winter, very little solar radiation causes net cooling of air mass Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain much water vapor

  17. Water Vapor in Cold Air

  18. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold Form over high-latitude land surfaces (including ice) In winter, very little solar radiation causes net cooling of air mass Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain much water vapor Typically clear and cloudless

  19. Continental Polar Air Mass Continental polar air masses are dry and cold Form over high-latitude land surfaces (including ice) In winter, very little solar radiation causes net cooling of air mass Extremely dry since cold air cannot contain much water vapor Typically clear and cloudless Very stable (resists vertical motion)

  20. Continental Arctic Air Masses Continental arctic air masses are extremely dry, extremely cold versions of continental polar air masses

  21. Continental Arctic Air Masses Continental arctic air masses are extremely dry, extremely cold versions of continental polar air masses The only difference: Continental arctic air masses are shallower than continental polar air masses

  22. Maritime Polar Air Masses Maritime polar air masses are moist and cool

  23. Maritime Polar Air Masses Maritime polar air masses are moist and cool Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes

  24. Maritime Polar Air Masses Maritime polar air masses are moist and cool Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes Cool and moist due to contact with cold ocean water

  25. Maritime Polar Air Masses Maritime polar air masses are moist and cool Form over oceans (not ice) at high latitudes Cool and moist due to contact with cold ocean water Generally cloudy

  26. Continental Tropical Air Masses Continental tropical air masses are dry and warm

  27. Continental Tropical Air Masses Continental tropical air masses are dry and warm Form over low-latitude land surfaces

  28. Continental Tropical Air Masses Continental tropical air masses are dry and warm Form over low-latitude land surfaces Hot and dry due to contact with hot land surfaces with little moisture

  29. Continental Tropical Air Masses Continental tropical air masses are dry and warm Form over low-latitude land surfaces Hot and dry due to contact with hot land surfaces with little moisture Generally cloud-free

  30. Continental Tropical Air Masses Continental tropical air masses are dry and warm Form over low-latitude land surfaces Hot and dry due to contact with hot land surfaces with little moisture Generally cloud-free Fairly unstable due to heating from below (but dryness inhibits cloud formation)

  31. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are

  32. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and

  33. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and warm

  34. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and warm Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters

  35. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and warm Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters Unstable conditions (moist warm air at surface)

  36. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and warm Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters Unstable conditions (moist warm air at surface) Generally cloudy and partly cloudy

  37. Maritime Tropical Air Masses Maritime tropical air masses are moist and warm Form over warm ocean (tropical) waters Unstable conditions (moist warm air at surface) Generally cloudy and partly cloudy Responsible for daily showers/thunderstorms in the southeast U.S.

  38. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express The Pineapple express a weather phenomena that impacts the NW U.S.

  39. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express The Pineapple express a weather phenomena that impacts the NW U.S. Constant flow of maritime tropical air into the NW U.S.

  40. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express The Pineapple express a weather phenomena that impacts the NW U.S. Constant flow of maritime tropical air into the NW U.S. Significant orographic (mountain- induced) rainfall

  41. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express The Pineapple express a weather phenomena that impacts the NW U.S. Constant flow of maritime tropical air into the NW U.S. Significant orographic (mountain- induced) rainfall High freezing (and snow) levels

  42. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express The Pineapple express a weather phenomena that impacts the NW U.S. Constant flow of maritime tropical air into the NW U.S. Significant orographic (mountain- induced) rainfall High freezing (and snow) levels Causes destructive flooding

  43. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express

  44. The Importance of Different Air Masses: The Pineapple Express

  45. Summary of Air Masses

  46. Fronts Fronts boundaries between different air masses

  47. Fronts Fronts boundaries between different air masses Cause significant changes in the weather (wind shift, temperature, moisture)

  48. Fronts Fronts boundaries between different air masses Cause significant changes in the weather (wind shift, temperature, moisture) Usually associated with clouds, precipitation, and sometimes severe weather

  49. Fronts There are 4 different kinds of fronts: 1) Cold front cold air advancing toward warm air

  50. Fronts There are 4 different kinds of fronts: 1) Cold front cold air advancing toward warm air 2) Warm front warm air advancing toward cold air

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