Which one of the following is the source region for the formation of air masses

Read... So far, we've been talking about the controllers that affect the average temperature patterns all across the globe. In other words, we've been talking about temperature controllers that shape a region's climate. But, obviously, temperature changes from day to day (sometimes by quite a lot). So, what factors control the variations that we tend to notice on a daily basis? Let's explore. For starters, weather forecasters track large blobs of warm and cold air, called "air masses," around the globe. By definition, an air mass is a large Essentially, air masses acquire their relatively uniform surface temperature and moisture characteristics by remaining over one region (its source region) for an extended period of time, and acquiring the characteristics from the underlying ground or body of water. For example, an air mass that sits over a warm, tropical ocean for a long period of time will become warm and humid. On the other hand, an air mass that sits over the very cold, ice-, and snow-covered ground near the North Pole will be very cold and dry. Meteorologists identify five main types of air masses, with designations like "maritime" (originating over the ocean) or "continental" (originating over land). The image below shows the source regions for the air masses that impact North America. Credit: David Babb Let's break down these air masses and their specific characteristics: • maritime-Tropical (mT): As its name suggests, a maritime-Tropical air mass forms over a tro...

Learning Objectives By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: • Describe what an “air mass” is and how it forms • Name some of the main types of air masses • Draw a vertical cross-section schematic of a warm and cold front • Recognize the symbols for warm, cold, and occluded fronts • Discuss the types of cloud patterns associated with warm and cold fronts • Explain how differences in temperature (warm or cold fronts) or differences in humidity (dry lines) are important to weather Introduction We’ve already learned that areas of low and high pressure can be identified based on the isobars on a weather map. We’ve also learned that some regions on Earth typically have low pressure and while others typically have high pressure. In this chapter we’ll learn that some regions of the atmosphere have similar air properties and are named by those properties as a collective mass of air or “air mass”. High pressure systems, especially, are very common air masses. Air Masses An air mass is an extensive body of air featuring generally similar temperature and moisture characteristics. They can extend thousands of square kilometers. Air mass are identified based on their temperature and humidity characteristics as well as their geographical region of origin. For example, if an air mass is dry and warm and originated from the tropical region over a continent, it would be called a continental Tropical (cT) air mass. If an air mass is humid and cold and originated over the ocean in ...

There are a total of six air masses that effect the weather in the United States. There are four primary air masses that impact the weather in North America year round and two air masses that are seasonal. There are four primary air masses that effect the weather in the United States. These are the Continental Polar, Continental Tropical, Maritime Polar, and Maritime Tropical Air masses. These air masses form in their source regions and based on that region is how they get their names. The Maritime Tropical air masses are typically located off the southern east and west coasts. They are responsible for much of the rainfall in the United States due to moving the moisture from the oceans over land and then interacting with the Continental Polar or Continental Tropical air masses depending on the time of year and the season. Once any of these air masses start to move from their source region, this is when the atmospheric stability of the air mass is modified. We first need to define what an air mass is and then determine its source region to identify what type of air mass it is and the stability of the air mass. Air masses are labeled based on their source region. There are two primary air masses that effect the weather in the mid-west and eastern United states. The Continental Polar (cP) and the Maritime Tropical (mT). The Continental air mass will begin to drop south out of Canada and bring cold air to the south with a dominant high pressure system. Semi-permanent high pres...

An air mass is a large mass of air that has similar characteristics of temperature and humidity within it. An air mass acquires these characteristics above an area of land or water known as its source region. When the air mass sits over a region for several days, or longer, it picks up the distinct temperature and humidity characteristics of that region. Air Mass Formation Where an air mass receives it’s characteristics of temperature and humidity is called the source region. Air masses are slowly pushed along by high-level winds, when an air mass moves over a new region, it shares its temperature and humidity with that region. So the temperature and humidity of a particular location depends partly on the characteristics of the air mass that sits over it. Storms arise if the air mass and the region it moves over have different characteristics. For example, when a colder air mass moves over warmer ground, the bottom layer of air is heated. That air rises, forming clouds, rain, and sometimes thunderstorms. How would a moving air mass form an inversion? When a warmer air mass travels over colder ground, the bottom layer of air cools and, because of its high density, is trapped near the ground. In general, cold air masses tend to flow toward the equator and warm air masses tend to flow toward the poles. This brings heat to cold areas and cools down areas that are warm. It is one of the many processes that act towards balancing out the planet’s temperatures. Air masses are slow...

Facebook Tweet Pin It may look like a map of the art museum or the subway, but it’s actually a map of the weather. Actually, those colored shapes provide information about weather conditions, and specifically air masses. An air mass is a large section of air with a fairly consistent humidity and temperature. Air Mass Definition An 4 Types of Air Masses Experts classify air masses The 4 types of air masses that (There are also less common types of air masses that form in regions outside North America and are seldom seen in the US.) Source Regions and Air Mass Characteristics Meteorologists classify air masses by where they come from, one of four “ This is because wind speeds need to stay low enough to let the air take on the characteristics of the region for a mass to form. Once a mass forms, wind can move the mass of air into a new region, and this creates weather or even storms as the characteristics of the mass clash with new humidity and temperature conditions. Temperature affects air pressure. Denser, colder air has a higher pressure, while less dense, warmer air has less pressure. For this reason, air masses that are tropical, or warm, have low air pressure. Air masses that are polar, or cold, have high air pressure. READ NOW: Where Do Flies Go When It Rain? Complete Guide Predictably, the humidity of an air mass depends on whether it forms over land or water. Maritime air masses tend to be humid, as they form over oceans as water evaporates. Continental air masses te...