Air masses and Fronts
What is am air mass?
A very large volume of air that has a certain temperature and moisture content.
What is a weather map?
What is a surface current?
Currents that occur at or near the surface of the oceans.
What is a deep current?
Their stream-like movements of the ocean water far below the ocean surface caused by changes in density.
How do scientists classify air masses
By the water content and temperature of the air.
What does a weather map show?
May show air pressure, temperature, and other weather conditions
Are surface currents warm or cold?
Warm.
Are deep currents warm or cold
Cold
What is a warm front?
Forms when a warm air mass moves in over a cold air mass that is leaving the area.
What is a weather map used for?
Research and weather forecasting purposes.
What are surface currents fueled by?
Energy from the sun.
What are deep currents caused by?
Surface wind-driven currents generate up welling currents in conjunction with land forms.
What is a cold front?
A cold air mass moves under a warm air mass
What would I find on a weather map?
symbols related to pressure, direction and velocity of winds, clouds, precipitation and sea condition
What is a surface current controlled by?
Global winds, continental deflections, the Coriolis effect.
What affects the waters density?
Temperature and salinity.
Is warm air more or less dense then cold air?
Less dense.
What are 4 types of weather data?
Temperature, air quality, wind speed, and precipitation level
What do surface currents do?
Transfer heat from the tropics to the polar regions
What do deep currents do?
Move water masses through the deep ocean, taking nutrients, oxygen, and heat with them.