Chapter 8

Question 1

What is an air mass?

Answer 1

A vast pool of air having similar temperature and moisture characteristics over its horizontal extent.

Question 2

What is an air mass source region?

Answer 2

Where air masses are born; where they take on their characteristic temperature and moisture content.

Question 3

What does cP air mass stand for and what are its characteristics?

Answer 3

Continental polar (cP) air is considered a cold and dry air mass that is warmer than the arctic air mass.

Question 4

What is the main characteristic of mP air mass?

Answer 4

Maritime polar (mP) air is cool and moist, bringing mild weather to coastal locations.

Question 5

What is cA air mass and its characteristics?

Answer 5

Continental arctic air (cA) is typically described as extremely cold and dry.

Question 6

What does cAA air mass refer to?

Answer 6

An exceedingly cold air mass that is drier than its arctic counterpart.

Question 7

What is a cT air mass?

Answer 7

An air mass found over subtropical and tropical continents that is hot and dry.

Question 8

What happens during air mass modification?

Answer 8

As air masses move out of their source region, the temperature and moisture content of air masses are modified.

Question 9

What is a front in meteorology?

Answer 9

Boundaries between contrasting masses of air.

Question 10

What occurs at a cold front?

Answer 10

Cold air replaces warm air.

Question 11

What occurs at a warm front?

Answer 11

Warm air replaces cold air.

Question 12

What is an occluded front?

Answer 12

Forms when a cold front catches up with a warm front.

Question 13

What is a stationary front?

Answer 13

Where no change in air masses or movement of the front occurs.

Question 14

What is a quasi-stationary front?

Answer 14

Found migrating within a particular latitudinal zone throughout most of the year.

Question 15

What defines the polar front?

Answer 15

The boundary between polar-type air and tropical-type air.

Question 16

What is the arctic front?

Answer 16

The boundary between cold arctic air mass and the warmer air of the polar cell.

Question 17

What type of weather is associated with warm fronts?

Answer 17

Increase in humidity; ‘fair weather’ clouds often created by convection.

Question 18

What is cyclogenesis?

Answer 18

The development and intensification of a cyclone.

Question 19

What happens in the initial stage of cyclogenesis?

Answer 19

Opposing streams of air meet and create a cyclone shear.

Question 20

What characterizes the wave stage of cyclogenesis?

Answer 20

Warm air from the south invades where cold air was once located north of the polar front.

Question 21

What occurs during the occluded stage of cyclogenesis?

Answer 21

The cold front catches up with the warm front, leading to occlusion.

Question 22

What happens during the dissolving stage of cyclogenesis?

Answer 22

The system dissipates as the lifting mechanism is cut off.

Question 23

What is the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?

Answer 23

The initial stage where warm, moist air is lifted and condenses into a cumulus cloud.

Question 24

What occurs during the mature stage of a thunderstorm?

Answer 24

Warm, moist updrafts feed the storm while cold downdrafts begin to form.

Question 25

What characterizes the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

Answer 25

The thunderstorm dissolves as warm updrafts cease and only cool downdrafts are present.

Question 26

What is lightning?

Answer 26

A massive discharge of electricity in response to a charge differential.

Question 27

What causes thunder?

Answer 27

A shockwave through the atmosphere caused by lightning.

Question 28

What defines a tornado?

Answer 28

An intense system of low pressure with violent updrafts and converging winds.

Question 29

What is a hurricane?

Answer 29

A large rotating cyclonic system born in the tropics.

Question 30

What is a storm surge?

Answer 30

The high water level that accompanies a hurricane as it comes ashore.