C17 - Air Masses Flashcards
Define Air Mass?
Constant values for Humidity and Temperature in a horizontal plane.
How does an Air Mass obtain its properties?
Over the surface/source.
When an Air Mass moves across a warmer surface, what happens to the ELR, Stability and Humidity (3)?
- ELR = Increasing.
- Stability = More Unstable.
- Humidity = Decrease.
When an Air Mass moves across a colder surface, what happens to the ELR, Stability and Humidity (3)?
- ELR = Decreasing.
- Stability = More Stable.
- Humidity = Increase.
What characteristics will you find in Polar Regions (2)?
- Very Cold.
- Dry.
What characteristics will you find in Temperate Regions (2)?
- Cold.
- Wet.
What characteristics will you find in Arid Desert Regions (2)?
- Hot.
- Dry.
What characteristics will you find in Tropic Regions (3)?
- Moist.
- Hot.
- Humid.
True or False. Surface transfer their heat and humidity properties to the air above them?
True.
Name two classification which describes the humidity of an Air Mass?
- Maritime.
- Continental.
Name four classifications which describes the temperature of an Air Mass?
- Equatorial.
- Tropical.
- Polar.
- Arctic/Antarctic.
True or False. Warm Maritime Air Masses are very humid and saturated?
True.
True or False. Continental Air Masses are drier than Warm Maritime?
True.
What type of Air Mass is mP?
Polar Maritime.
What type of Air Mass is cT?
Tropical Continental.
What type of Air Mass is mE?
Equatorial Maritime.
What type of Air Mass is cAA?
Antarctica Continental.
What type of Air Mass is mT?
Tropical Maritime.
What type of Air Mass is cP?
Polar Continental.
What type of Air Mass is rmP?
Returning Polar Maritime.
What is the source region of a Tropical Maritime?
Sub-Tropical High Pressure over the Azores High.
What are the characteristics of a Tropical Maritime (2)?
- Warm.
- Very Moist.
When a Tropical Maritime Air Mass moves into Europe, what happens to the Stability?
Becomes more Stable.
During Winter, what can we expect from a Tropical Maritime Air Mass in terms of Weather and Clouds (2)?
- Fog/Low Clouds.
- Poor Visibility.
During Summer, what can we expect from a Tropical Maritime Air Mass in terms of Weather and Clouds (2)?
- No Cloud.
- Good Visibility.
What is the source region of a Tropical Continental?
Northern Africa/Southern Europe.
What are the characteristics of a Tropical Continental (2)?
- Warm.
- Low Humidity.
When a Tropical Continental Air Mass moves into high latitudes, what happens to the Stability?
Becomes more Stable.
True or False. The Tropical Continental Air is dry which prevents Cloud Formation and with High Temperatures produce Clear Skies?
True.
What is the source region of a Polar Maritime?
Polar Region.
What are the characteristics of a Polar Maritime (2)?
- Very Cold.
- Dry.
When a Polar Maritime Air Mass moves into Europe, what happens to the Stability?
Becomes more Unstable.
During Summer, what can we expect from a Polar Maritime Air Mass?
Uplifting/Thunderstorms.
What is the source region of an Arctic Maritime?
Arctic Region.
What are the characteristics of an Arctic Maritime (2)?
- Cold.
- Less Moist.
What weather can we expect from an Arctic Maritime Air Mass?
Cumuliform Clouds.
What is the source region of a Returning Polar Maritime?
Polar Region via Sub-Tropical High Pressure.
When a Returning Polar Maritime Air Mass moves South it becomes ‘____’ and then ‘____’ when it turns North (2)?
- Unstable.
- Stable (lower layers).
In the middle layers of a Returning Polar Maritime Air Mass, what type of Clouds are found?
Altocumulus Castellanus.
What is the source region of a Polar Continental in the Summer?
Central Europe, Russia or Far East Region.
What are the characteristics of a Polar Continental in the Summer (2)?
- Warm.
- Dry.
What temperatures are reached in the Polar Continental in the Summer?
30°C to 40°C.
What conditions does a Polar Continental in the Summer produce?
Warm, dry hazy conditions.
What is the source region of a Polar Continental in the Winter?
Russia.
What are the characteristics of a Polar Continental in the Winter (2)?
- Very Cold.
- Dry.
What temperatures are reached in the Polar Continental in the Winter?
-40°C.
What conditions does a Polar Continental in the Winter produce?
Very cold, clear conditions.
