a large body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout. It forms over land or water and takes on the characteristics of that place.

Continental polar (cP) air mass

a large body of cold, dry air that forms over land in high‑latitude areas, like Canada or the northern interior of the United States.

Continental tropical (cT) air mass

a large body of hot, dry air that forms over land in very warm regions, such as deserts in the southwestern United States or northern Mexico.

Maritime polar (mP) air mass

a large body of cold, moist air that forms over cold ocean waters in northern areas like the North Pacific or North Atlantic.

Maritime Tropical (mT) air mass

a large body of warm, moist air that forms over warm ocean waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea

the boundary between two different air masses. It’s the place where warm air and cold air meet

when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass; After the front passes, the weather usually becomes cooler and clearer.

forms when a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass; After the front passes, the weather usually becomes warmer and more humid

when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet, but neither one is strong enough to move the other. Because the front doesn’t move, the weather in that area can stay the same for a long time

when a cold front catches up to a warm front. The warm air gets pushed up between two colder air masses; after the front passes, the weather usually becomes cooler.

High-pressure systems

forms when cool, dense air sinks toward the ground. As the air sinks, it spreads out and pushes clouds away. This usually brings clear skies, light winds, and calm, pleasant weather.

forms when warm air rises up from the ground. As the air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses, which creates clouds, wind, and often rain or storms

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Weather

Term	Definition
Air Mass	a large body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout. It forms over land or water and takes on the characteristics of that place.
Continental polar (cP) air mass	a large body of cold, dry air that forms over land in high‑latitude areas, like Canada or the northern interior of the United States.
Continental tropical (cT) air mass	a large body of hot, dry air that forms over land in very warm regions, such as deserts in the southwestern United States or northern Mexico.
Maritime polar (mP) air mass	a large body of cold, moist air that forms over cold ocean waters in northern areas like the North Pacific or North Atlantic.
Maritime Tropical (mT) air mass	a large body of warm, moist air that forms over warm ocean waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea
Front	the boundary between two different air masses. It’s the place where warm air and cold air meet
Cold Front	when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass; After the front passes, the weather usually becomes cooler and clearer.
Warm Front	forms when a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass; After the front passes, the weather usually becomes warmer and more humid
Stationary Front	when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet, but neither one is strong enough to move the other. Because the front doesn’t move, the weather in that area can stay the same for a long time
Occluded Front	when a cold front catches up to a warm front. The warm air gets pushed up between two colder air masses; after the front passes, the weather usually becomes cooler.
High-pressure systems	forms when cool, dense air sinks toward the ground. As the air sinks, it spreads out and pushes clouds away. This usually brings clear skies, light winds, and calm, pleasant weather.
Low-pressure systems	forms when warm air rises up from the ground. As the air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses, which creates clouds, wind, and often rain or storms

Created by: LMcdRob

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