Fronts
What type of causes cooler temperatures and heavy rain?
cold fronts
Describe a martime tropical air mass
warm and moist
What force causes rain to fall?
gravity
What is humidity?
The amount of water vapor in the air
What weather instrument measures the amount of precipitation?
rain gauge
This pressure system causes cloudy skies
low pressure
Describe a maritime polar air mass
cold and moist
What is the energy source of the water cycle?
the sun
Cooler temperatures cause water and air molecules to
condense
What does a barometer measure?
air/atmospheric pressure
a warm and cold front that collide and cause heavy rain that last for many days is called
stationary front
Air masses are classified by these two categories
humidity and temperature
what is this phase change called?
Going from liquid to gas
evaporation
warmer temperatures
What does a wind vane measure?
Kansas City is currently experiencing light rain, warmer temperatures followed by clear skies. Describe the fronts/pressure systems you would expect to see
Warm front followed by high pressure system
This air mass is cold and dry
continental polar
What is this phase change called?
Going from gas to liquid
condensation
Why would air molecules start to spread out and become less dense?
The temperature increases
what does an anemometer measure?
wind speed
St. Louis is going to be experiencing cooler temperatures, brief heavy rain, and cloudy skies. What types of fronts/pressure systems would you expect to see?
Cold front and low pressure system
When two air masses meet, this is called a?
Front
Where does the water cycle need an energy input?
Evaporation
Describe how a convection current moves using the following words:
Density
Molecules
Heat/hot
Cold/cool
As the molecules heat up, the molecules become less dense and rise. When the molecules cool down, they become more dense and sink
What instrument measures relative humidity?
sling psychrometer