What is air mass determined by?
Air masses have fairly uniform temperature and moisture content in horizontal direction (but not uniform in vertical). Air masses are characterized by their temperature and humidity properties. The properties of air masses are determined by the the underlying surface properties where they originate.
How are air masses formed and classified?
Air masses are classified according to the temperature and moisture characteristics where they develop. Cold air masses originate in polar regions and are therefore called polar air masses. Warm air masses usually form in tropical or subtropical regions and are called tropical air masses.
What three things determine an air mass?
The nature of air masses is determined by three factors: the source region, the age and the modifications that may occur as they move away from their source region across the earth’s surface.
What usually happens when two air masses meet weather?
When two air masses meet together, the boundary between the two is called a weather front. At a front, the two air masses have different densities, based on temperature, and do not easily mix. One air mass is lifted above the other, creating a low pressure zone. Fronts are the main cause of stormy weather.
How are the different types of air masses classified?
Classification of Air Masses. Air masses are classified according to the temperature and moisture characteristics of their source regions. Bases on moisture content: continental (dry) and maritime (moist) Based on temperature: tropical (warm), polar (cold), arctic (extremely cold).
How are air masses separated from one another?
Air masses are separated from one another by a weather front. The area/latitude where an air mass originates from is called the source region. The four source regions where air masses form according to latitude are the Equatorial (E), Tropical (T), Polar (P), and Arctic (A) regions.
How are air masses and air mass modification determined?
*Air masses and air mass modificationare determined by latitude, altitude, ocean currents, sunshine hours, sunshine angle, vegetation, soil temperatures, snow cover, prevailing wind, etc. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1. Next to each state, name the top 1 or 2 air masses that dominate the state during a year.
What happens when air masses of different types clash?
When winds move air masses, they carry their weather conditions (heat or cold, dry or moist) from the source region to a new region. When the air mass reaches a new region, it might clash with another air mass that has a different temperature and humidity. This can create a severe storm.