Types Of Air Masses Worksheet printable pdf download

Types Of Air Masses Worksheet

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Types o f A ir M asses p g. 5 75-‐577

An a ir m ass i s a h uge b ody o f a ir t hat h as s imilar t emperature, h umidity ( measure o f t he

amount o f w ater v apor i n t he a ir), a nd a ir p ressure a t a ny g iven h eight.

The c haracteristics o f a ir m asses d epend o n t he t emperatures a nd m oisture c ontent o f t he a rea o ver w hich

the a ir m ass f orms.

Temperature

• Tropical, o r w arm, a ir m asses f orm i n t he t ropics ( near t he e quator) a nd h ave l ow a ir p ressure.

• Polar, o r c old, a ir m asses f orm n orth o f 5 0 d egree n orth l atitude a nd s outh o f 5 0 d egree s outh

latitude. T hese h ave h igh a ir p ressure.

Moisture c ontent

• Maritime a ir m asses f orm o ver o ceans. W ater e vaporates f rom t he o ceans, s o t he a ir b ecomes v ery

humid.

• Continental a ir m asses f orm o ver l and a nd h ave l ess e xposure t o l arge a mounts o f m oisture f rom

bodies o f w ater. T herefore, t hese a ir m asses a re d ry.

Air M asses a nd F ronts:

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Types Of Air Masses Worksheet