Meteorology: Air Masses and Fronts

Instructions

Respond to the following questions in a single discussion board post. Please label your answers as they are labeled in the prompt (#1, #2, #3, #4, etc)

Part 1: Air Masses

Air masses are defined by their moisture and temperature. To symbolize air masses, we use a two-letter combination like mT, mP, cA, cT, or cP. What do these mean? What is an air mass? Let us explore.

1 (+1): The temperature of air masses is defined as either A which is (choose: cold, warm, or very cold), P which is a (choose: cold, warm, or very cold) air mass or T which is a (choose: cold, warm, or very cold) air mass.

2 (+1): The moisture of an air mass is defined as either c which is a (choose: dry or moist) air mass or m which is a (choose: dry or moist) air mass.

Examine the following map. 

3 (+1): Identify the air mass that would originate from locations indicated by the #1

4 (+1): A cold, moist air mass would originate from which position?

5 (+1): Cold fronts bring dry, cold air originate from which position?

6 (+1): Examine both mT and mP air mass origin locations. Describe one way that these air masses are similar and one way that these air masses are different.

7 (+1): Examine both cP and mP air mass origin locations. Describe one way that these air masses are similar and one way that these air masses are different.

Part 2: Weather Fronts

8 (+1): Examine the following image of a cold front that shows the typical strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall associated with cold fronts. Also, examine the diagram of a cold front. 

Describe in one or two sentences why cold fronts are often associated with shorter periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Hint: think about the relationship between cold and warm air

9 (+1): Examine the following image of a warm front that shows the typical long-lasting but light to moderate rainfall associated with warm fronts. Also, examine the diagram of a cold front. 

Describe in one or two sentences why warm fronts are often associated with long-lasting but light to moderate rainfall. Hint: think about the relationship between cold and warm air

Part 3: Forecasting with fronts

Now we will practice doing some forecasting with fronts. Remember, in the northern hemisphere, the low-pressure systems that cause these mid-latitude cyclones rotate counter-clockwise and move from west to east typically.

10 (+1): A cold front is approaching San Angelo. Describe how the direction of the winds will change as the cold front passes through San Angelo. Make sure to indicate what direction they coming from before and after the cold front passes

11 (+1): A warm front is approaching Oklahoma City. Describe how the dew point (the amount of moisture in the air) will change as the warm front passes through Oklahoma City. Make sure to indicate the dew point before and after the warm front passes.

12 (+1): Which city (choose: Alpine, El Paso, or Shreveport) is most likely to experience light to moderate precipitation according to the current position of the front?

13 (+1): In which city (choose: Alpine, El Paso, or Shreveport) would you most likely find cumulonimbus clouds?

14 (+1): In which city (choose: Alpine, El Paso, or Shreveport) would you most likely find the highest air pressure?

Examine the following image below and try to combine your knowledge of fronts and air masses. 

Remember, air masses move and have certain temperature and moisture characteristics. When the leading edges of these air masses interact, we call those fronts. Both topics in this module are connected. 

15 (+1): Examine the weather map and think about the location of air masses (See Part 1) and weather fronts (See Parts 2 and 3). Identify the air mass found in location "A" in the image above

16 (+1): Examine the weather map and think about the location of air masses (See Part 1) and weather fronts (See Parts 2 and 3). Identify the air mass found in location "B" in the image above

17 (+1): Examine the weather map and think about the location of air masses (See Part 1) and weather fronts (See Parts 2 and 3). Identify the air mass found in location "C" in the image above