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An in-depth exploration of air masses and fronts, their formation, properties, and classification. Air masses are large regions of air with similar temperature and moisture content, forming over areas with uniform underlying surface properties and high surface pressure. Fronts are boundaries between contrasting air masses, characterized by zones of temperature and moisture differences. various types of fronts, their identification, and the impact of fronts on weather patterns.
Typology: Study notes
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Air masses form over areas with
(1) Uniform underlying surface properties and
(2) High surface pressure, where divergence of surface
winds decreases contrasts in temperature and
humidity.
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surface.
of “origin”.
air mass remains over source region for a long time.
Mean sea-level pressure map, January: Air
Masses form where areas of high pressure prevail.
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Mean sea-level pressure map, July: Air Masses
form where areas of high pressure prevail.
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Air Mass Modification I
cP air from Canada is carried across the Great Lakes or
the Gulf Steam. Contact with the ocean warms and
moistens the air near the surface, transforming it to an
unstable mP air mass.
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Air Mass Modification I
surface, transforming it to an unstable mP air mass, and
resulting and lake-effect snow showers.
Annual average snowfall totals.
Air Mass Modification II
When mP air enters the West Coast and moves inland
it crosses several mountain ranges, removing
moisture as precipitation.
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Air Mass Modification II
When mP air enters
the West Coast and
moves inland it
crosses several
mountain ranges,
removing moisture
as precipitation.
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Note the two air masses, cP and mT, that are
involved in the early formation of this front.
mT
cP
mT
cP
April 1976
temperature
contrasts
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Frontal symbols are placed pointing in the direction of
movement of the front (except in the case of the
stationary front).
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Cold air replaces warm; leading edge is steep in fast-
moving front shown below due to friction at the ground
cirrostratus
Slower moving fronts have less steep boundaries and less
vertically developed clouds may form if warm air is stable
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Note that the front is located at the leading edge of the
colder air.
air at the surface; slope is not usually very steep.
well in advance of boundary.
precipitation will experience different temperature histories
as it falls to the ground (snow, sleet, fr.rain,& rain).
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The warm front is also located on the warm air side of
the colder air.
and was closed for two months
The Pineapple Express
brings heavy rain to CA.
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(e.g., tropical vs polar).
Fronts are an fundamental part of winter storms
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The lifecycle
takes several
days to a week,
and can move
1000’s of km
during this time.
Stationary front
Incipient stage Mature Stage
Mature stage
Occluded stage
Dissipated stage
Incipient stage
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