Air Masses And Warm And Cold Fronts Flashcards
What are the four main air masses that influence UK weather?
Maritime Tropical, Maritime Polar, Continental Tropical, and Continental Polar.
True or False: Maritime air masses originate over land.
False.
Fill in the blank: An air mass that brings warm, moist conditions to the UK is known as a ______ air mass.
Maritime Tropical.
What type of air mass is associated with cold, wet conditions in the UK?
Maritime Polar.
Which air mass is likely to bring hot, dry weather to the UK?
Continental Tropical.
True or False: Continental Polar air masses are warm and moist.
False.
What is a warm front?
A boundary where a warm air mass replaces a cold air mass.
What weather is typically associated with a warm front?
Gradual warming, increased cloudiness, and light to moderate precipitation.
Fill in the blank: A cold front is formed when a ______ air mass pushes into a warmer air mass.
cold.
What type of weather is usually associated with a cold front?
Sudden drops in temperature, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall.
Multiple choice: Which air mass is the most influential on the UK’s weather?
Maritime Polar.
What is the main difference between warm fronts and cold fronts?
Warm fronts involve warm air rising over cold air, while cold fronts involve cold air pushing under warm air.
True or False: Air masses can change their characteristics when they move over different surfaces.
True.
What happens when a warm front meets a cold front?
They create a complex weather system, often leading to mixed weather conditions.
Fill in the blank: The UK is primarily influenced by ______ air masses from the Atlantic Ocean.
maritime.
What term describes the transition zone between two air masses?
Front.
Multiple choice: Which front typically moves faster?
Cold front.
What is the significance of occluded fronts?
They occur when a cold front overtakes a warm front, often leading to complex weather patterns.
True or False: Occluded fronts are associated with stable weather conditions.
False.
What type of air mass is likely to bring fog to the UK?
Maritime Polar.
Fill in the blank: The movement of air masses is primarily driven by ______.
pressure differences.
What is the effect of the North Atlantic Drift on the UK climate?
It moderates temperatures, making winters milder.
Multiple choice: Which air mass is typically dry and stable?
Continental Polar.
What weather phenomenon can occur when a cold front passes quickly?
Thunderstorms.
True or False: Warm fronts generally lead to more severe weather than cold fronts.
False.
What is the typical cloud formation associated with warm fronts?
Stratus clouds.
Fill in the blank: The boundary where two air masses meet is known as a ______.
front.
What role does the Jet Stream play in air mass movement?
It influences the direction and speed of air masses.
Multiple choice: Which air mass is most likely to bring snow in winter to the UK?
Continental Polar.
What is the main impact of maritime air masses on the UK?
They bring moisture and precipitation.
True or False: Cold fronts generally result in prolonged precipitation.
False.
What is the term for the boundary between a cold front and warm air ahead of it?
Warm sector.
Fill in the blank: When a warm front moves in, temperatures typically ______.
rise.
What kind of weather is expected after a cold front passes?
Clear skies and cooler temperatures.
Multiple choice: Which factor is NOT a primary influence on the UK’s weather?
Desert air masses.
What is a key characteristic of maritime tropical air masses?
Warm and humid.
True or False: The UK experiences a continental climate.
False.
What is the primary source of moisture for the UK weather systems?
The Atlantic Ocean.
Fill in the blank: A cold front can lead to ______ weather changes.
rapid.
What is a typical indicator of an approaching warm front?
Increasing high-altitude clouds.
Multiple choice: Which air mass is least likely to affect UK weather?
Continental Tropical.
What type of front typically has a gentler slope?
Warm front.
True or False: Cold fronts can cause heavy rainfall over a short period.
True.
What happens to air pressure as a warm front approaches?
It decreases.
Fill in the blank: A warm front is often followed by ______ weather.
stable.
