Air Masses

Question 1

What are air masses?

Answer 1

● Large bodies of air
● Form when the air over a large region sits in one place for many days
● The air gradually takes on the characteristics of the land or water below it

Question 2

How do air masses affect our weather?

Answer 2

● As an air mass moves, it brings its characteristics with it
● Changes weather

Question 3

What are the two characteristics that describe air masses?

Answer 3

● Two words each
One for moisture
One for temperature

Question 4

When describing moisture what words can we use?

Answer 4

The first word of an air mass tells one where the mass was formed (over water or land)
Continental
Air masses formed over land
DRY
Maritime
Air masses formed over water
WET

Question 5

When describing temperature what words can we use?

Answer 5

The second word of an air mass tells whether an air mass was formed close to the equator or pole
Tropical
Air masses formed near the equator
WARM AIR
Polar
Air masses formed closer to the poles
COLD AIR

Question 6

What are the 4 Major Air Masses?

Answer 6

The four major air masses are:
Maritime Tropical (moist warm air)
Continental Tropical (dry warm air)
Maritime Polar (moist cold air)
Continental Polar (dry cold air)

Question 7

What moves air masses?

Answer 7

Winds
Air masses can travel away from the regions where they form
Can move with global winds and jet streams
As the air mass moves it changes