Air Masses & Fronts
What is an air mass?
A large volume of air that has certain temperature and moisture content.
What is a weather map called?
synoptic weather chart.
What is a surface current?
horizontal, streamlike movements of water.
What is a deep current?
movement of ocean water far below the surface.
What is an air front?
The place where two or more air masses meet.
What are two kinds of weather maps?
The surface map and upper air maps.
Where are surface currents found?
at or near the surface of the ocean.
where is a deep current located?
far below the surface.
How many air masses are there?
4
What does H mean on a weather map?
center of high pressure
What causes surface currents?
Global winds, systems that are fueled by energy from the sun.
how are deep currents different from surface currents?
sweeps along the deep seafloor.
What are the four air masses called?
Maritime, Continental, Polar, and Tropical
What does L mean on a weather map?
center of low pressure
How do winds cause surface currents?
Winds that blow across earth's oceans push water across earth's surface.
why do most deep currents form near the poles?
Difference in water density.
What are four kinds of fronts?
Cold fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and occluded fronts.
What does pink mean on a weather map?
freezing rain or sleet.
How does earth's rotation affect the paths of surface currents?
If earth did not rotate, surface currents would flow in straight lines.
What causes deep currents?
surface winds driven currents generate upwelling currents in conjunction with landforms