AIR MASSES

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AIR MASSES

• 4 TYPES
• MARITIME (WET)
• CONTINENTAL (DRY)
• POLAR (COLD)
• TROPICAL (WARM)
• Can be different combinations, example maritime
  polar - mP

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AIR MASSES
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COLD FRONT

• Characteristics
• Slope is steep
• Cold air moves under warm air. (cold air is more
  dense)
• Vertical movement of air will develop
• Large cumulus clouds will form into cumulonimbus
  clouds
• The faster the front moves the more violent the
  storm
• Produces short lived violent storms

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COLD FRONT
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COLD FRONT
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COLD FRONT
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WARM FRONT

• CHARACTERISTICS
• Warm air overtakes cooler air
• Slope is gradual
• Because of the gradual slope clouds can develop
  far ahead of the front.
• Cirrus Cirrostratus altostratus low stratus
  nimbostratus
• Produces precipitation over a large area

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WARM FRONT
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WARM FRONT
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WARM FRONT
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WAVE CYCLONE
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WAVE CYCLONE
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STATIONARY FRONT

• CHARACTERISTICS
• When two air masses meet and neither air mass is
  displaced
• Does not move

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STATIONARY FRONT
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STATIONARY FRONT
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OCCLUDED FRONT

• CHARACTERISTICS
• Occurs when a fast moving cold front overtakes a
  warm front lifting the warm air completely off
  the ground.
• The advancing cold front eventually comes into
  contact with cool air from the other side.

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OCCLUDED FRONT
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OCCLUDED FRONT
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