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Questions and Answers
What is an air mass?
What is an air mass?
An air mass is an immense body of air characterized by similar temperatures and amounts of moisture at any given altitude.
What happens as an air mass moves over an area?
What happens as an air mass moves over an area?
The air mass changes the weather in the area over which it moves.
How are air masses classified?
How are air masses classified?
Air masses are classified by temperature (polar or tropical) and the surface (continental or maritime) over which they form.
Which types of air masses have the greatest effect on weather in North America?
Which types of air masses have the greatest effect on weather in North America?
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Why do continental tropical air masses have little effect on weather in North America?
Why do continental tropical air masses have little effect on weather in North America?
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Compare and contrast the four types of air masses.
Compare and contrast the four types of air masses.
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Which type of air mass could offer relief from a scorching summer to the Midwestern United States? Justify your choice.
Which type of air mass could offer relief from a scorching summer to the Midwestern United States? Justify your choice.
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How can continental polar air be responsible for lake-effect snowstorms in the Great Lakes region?
How can continental polar air be responsible for lake-effect snowstorms in the Great Lakes region?
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What kind of weather could be expected in southern Canada if an mT air mass was to invade the region in mid-July?
What kind of weather could be expected in southern Canada if an mT air mass was to invade the region in mid-July?
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Study Notes
Air Masses Overview
- An air mass is a large body of air with consistent temperature and moisture levels at a particular altitude.
Effects of Air Mass Movement
- As an air mass shifts over a region, it can alter the local weather patterns.
Classification of Air Masses
- Air masses are categorized based on temperature (polar or tropical) and their formation surface (continental or maritime).
Key Air Masses in North America
- Continental polar (cP) and maritime tropical (mT) air masses significantly influence North American weather.
Continental Tropical Air Masses
- Continental tropical (cT) air masses have minimal impact on North American weather due to their infrequent movement from source regions.
Comparison of Air Mass Types
- All four air mass types affect North American weather.
- Continental air masses: dry, form over land.
- Maritime air masses: wet, form over water.
- Polar air masses: cold; tropical air masses: warm.
Weather Relief from Continental Polar Air Mass
- A continental polar (cP) air mass can provide cool, dry air to relieve excessive summer heat in the Midwest, typically linked to high pressure and clear skies.
Lake-Effect Snowstorms
- cP air masses can generate lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes region by gaining moisture from warm lakes, leading to unstable air and subsequent snow downwind.
Weather Conditions from mT Air Mass
- If a maritime tropical (mT) air mass encroaches upon southern Canada in mid-July, extremely hot and humid conditions characteristic of its source area are expected.
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Description
Explore the characteristics and classifications of air masses that significantly affect weather patterns in North America. Learn about the differences between continental and maritime air masses, as well as polar and tropical types. This quiz covers the fundamental concepts needed to understand air mass dynamics and their impact on local weather.
