Air Masses and Fronts S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather. b. Relate unequal heating of land and water surfaces to form large global wind systems and weather events such as tornados and thunderstorms.

What is an air mass? A large body of air where temperature and moisture content are constant throughout

Air masses in the U.S. Continental polar (cP)= dry and cold Continental tropical (cT)= dry and warm Maritime polar (mP)= wet and cold Maritime tropical (mT)= wet and warm

Air masses in different locations

What is a front? A front is the boundary between air masses Has different densities (heaviness) Has different temperatures (hot or cold)

Types of Fronts Cold- cold air collides with warm air, and warm air is pushed up (heavy rain, snow) Warm- warm air moves over cold air (drizzly rain, warm weather) Occluded-warm air is between 2 cold air masses (heavy rain, snow) Stationary – a cold air meets warm air and the two air masses remain separated (cloudy, wet weather)

Front Symbols

With a partner, come up with a connection for the following words: Your Turn With a partner, come up with a connection for the following words: Air Pressure Metamorphic rock Then use two words to create your own connection to terms we have discussed throughout the year.

Closing- Correctly label the different type of air masses on the map below: