15 Questions
Which term is used to describe air masses that form over land?
Continental
What characteristic is associated with maritime air masses?
Moisture
Where do tropical air masses primarily form?
Near the equator
What gives an idea of the overall temperature of air masses?
Polar, tropical, and arctic classification
How do meteorologists typically use air masses to predict weather?
By understanding the temperature and humidity characteristics
Where do maritime tropical air masses primarily form in North America?
Off the coast of California and in Baja California, Mexico
Which statement best describes maritime arctic air masses?
They do not form over North America, but affect the British Isles
Which air mass can be described as featuring higher humidity than maritime arctic air masses?
Maritime polar
In North America, where does the continental polar air mass primarily form?
In Canada
What causes different weather conditions when air masses run into each other?
The confrontations of different air masses at frontal boundaries
What type of clouds can cumulus clouds turn into during stormy weather?
Cumulonimbus clouds
Which lifting process occurs when a warm air mass rises and condenses to form cumulus clouds?
Convectional lifting
In what areas does convectional lifting occur more frequently?
Equatorial regions
What happens to air masses as they encounter mountains or landforms?
They are forced to climb over the obstacle
Why does one side of a mountain receive more precipitation than the other side due to orographic lifting?
The effect of wind direction
Study Notes
Air Masses
- Air masses that form over land are called continental air masses.
- Maritime air masses are characterized by high humidity and cool temperatures.
Formation of Air Masses
- Tropical air masses primarily form near the equator.
- Maritime tropical air masses primarily form in North America over the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Characteristics of Air Masses
- The temperature of an air mass gives an idea of its overall temperature.
Predicting Weather with Air Masses
- Meteorologists typically use air masses to predict weather by understanding the properties of different air masses and how they interact with each other.
Maritime Arctic Air Masses
- Maritime arctic air masses are cold and moist, and form over the Arctic Ocean.
Comparison of Air Masses
- Continental polar air masses feature higher humidity than maritime arctic air masses.
Formation of Continental Polar Air Masses
- In North America, the continental polar air mass primarily forms over the Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska.
Weather Conditions and Air Masses
- When air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels run into each other, it causes different weather conditions.
Cloud Formation
- Cumulus clouds can turn into towering cumulonimbus clouds during stormy weather.
- Orographic lifting occurs when a warm air mass rises and condenses to form cumulus clouds.
Convectional Lifting
- Convectional lifting occurs more frequently in areas with warm temperatures and high humidity, such as near the equator.
Air Masses and Mountains
- When air masses encounter mountains or landforms, they are forced to rise, cool, and condense, resulting in precipitation.
- One side of a mountain receives more precipitation than the other side due to orographic lifting, as the air is forced to rise and cool, resulting in precipitation on the windward side.
Learn about how different types of air masses influence weather patterns across various locations on Earth. Explore the characteristics and formations of these roaming bodies of air.
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