101-8 Air Masses & Fronts

Question 1

Air Mass

Answer 1

(AMS)
A body of air with uniform temperature and moisture

Question 2

Definition of a Front & Four types

Answer 2

Boundary between two Air Masses (AMS)
1. Cold
2. Warm
3. Stationary
4. Occluded

Question 3

Frontolysis

Answer 3

Dying/dissipating front
Decrease in significant weather

Question 4

Frontogenesis

Answer 4

Beginning of a front
Significant weather will increase

Question 5

Frontal Weather Discontinuities

Answer 5

-Temperature: if greater than or = to 5 degrees C across the front, expect mod or greater turb (MOGR TURB)
-Dew Point: Changes w/ moisture content
-Pressure: may increase or decrease
-Wx: all dependent
(!)- Wind direction ALWAYS changes with frontal passage

Question 6

Frontal Wave

Answer 6

-Strong indication of weather forming
-Usually form on slow moving cold fronts/stationary
-Precludes a low pressure system

Question 7

Dry Line

Answer 7

• Moist air from Gulf of Mexico abuts layer of dryer/more dense aire flowing from the SW
  -Very similar air characteristics, besides moisture content
  -moist air is pushed aloft creating very bad storms

Question 8

Occluded Front

Answer 8

Closing together of joining fronts (cold overtakes cool overtaking warm)

Question 9

Stationary Front

Answer 9

When neither AMS overtakes the other

Question 10

Warm Front

Answer 10

Slower than cold fronts

Question 11

Cold Fronts

Answer 11

Often lies in a TROF
Wind speed is perpendicular to f font above frictional layer
-fastest of the fronts