Air masses and fronts
What is an air mass
An air mass is a large volume of air in the atmosphere that is mostly uniform in temperature and moisture
how is a high pressure shown on a weather map
On weather maps, these readings are represented as a blue “H” for high pressure
What causes surface currents and then what powers surface currents?
Surface currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by energy from the Sun
What causes deep ocean currents?
Surface wind-driven currents generate upwelling currents in conjunction with landforms, creating deepwater currents
Where do continental tropical air masses form
Water
How is a cold front shown on a weather map
Cold fronts are depicted by blue line with triangles pointing in the direction of motion
What causes currents to turn
Because the Earth rotates on its axis
The density of the water is affected by what two measurements?
Water density changes with temperature and salinity
What does mP stand for
Maritime polar
How is low pressure shown on a weather map
for high pressure or a red “L” for low pressure.
What are the three main factors that affect surface currents?
determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth's rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.
which one is colder continental or polar
Continental arctic air
What does a warm front look like?
You will often see high clouds like cirrus, cirrostratus, and middle clouds like altostratus
Earth's rotation causes all wind and ocean currents, except on the equator, to be deflected from the paths they would take if Earth did not rotate. This explains what concept?
does a cold air mass rises or fall
Falls
Based on the weather map, what type of weather can we expect Nebraska to be getting?
See the latest Nebraska Doppler radar weather map including areas of rain, snow and ice
What is continental deflection
When surface currents meet continents, they are deflected and change direction.