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Understanding Air Masses: Formation, Classification & Characteristics

Learn all about air masses, from how they form based on temperature and humidity to their classifications as maritime or continental. Explore the characteristics of different air masses like tropical and polar, and understand how convection and density play a role in their movement.

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Understanding Air Masses: Formation, Classification & Characteristics

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  1. Air Masses

  2. A body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout. What is an air mass?

  3. If a large body of air sits over an area of land or water for a long period of time, it will take on the characteristics of the land or water beneath it. • Temperature • Humidity How do air masses form?

  4. The relative measure of the amount of water vapor in the air • Psychrometer-measures humidity • Water vapor affects the density of the air. • Cold air is heavier than warm air. Humidity

  5. Air masses over the equator will have high temperatures. • Air masses over polar regions will have low temperatures. • Air masses over water (maritime) will have high humidity (moisture content). • Air masses over land (continental) will have low humidity (moisture content). Location, Location, Location…

  6. Air masses tend to form in areas with little wind. • Remember, they sit over an area for a long period of time without moving. Where do air masses form?

  7. Air masses that form over water are called maritime. • Air masses that form over land are called continental. Labeling Air Masses

  8. mT – maritime tropical • cT – continental tropical • mP – maritime polar • cP – continental polar • cA – continental arctic Classification of Air Masses

  9. Location of Air Masses

  10. mT – warm, moist air • cT – warm, dry air • mP – cold, moist air • cP – cold, dry air • cA – super cold, dry air Characteristics of Air Masses

  11. Convection! How do air masses move?

  12. Warm air rises, and cold air moves in to replace it. • A circulation pattern is formed. • Causes air and water currents to form Convection

  13. Density! • Warm air rises. • Cool air sinks. • Density is the property that helps create convection currents How does convection work?

  14. How do different air masses form? Reflection Question

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