Weather Test Review Flashcards
What is an Air Mass?
A large ‘bubble’ of air with the same temperature & humidity.
What is a Source Region?
The geographic area where an air mass originates.
What characterizes Maritime air masses?
Forms over water, more humid.
What characterizes Continental air masses?
Forms over land, drier.
What characterizes Polar air masses?
Forms in cold regions, cooler air.
What characterizes Tropical air masses?
Forms in warm regions, warmer air.
What characterizes Arctic air masses?
Forms over ice-covered regions, very cold.
Which two air masses are especially important for NY?
- cP (Continental Polar from Canada)
- mT (Maritime Tropical from the Gulf of Mexico)
What is a Cold Front?
The boundary where a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass.
What weather is associated with Cold Fronts?
Rapid changes in weather, often leading to thunderstorms or heavy rain, cloudy, windy followed by cooler, drier air.
Where does rain typically occur during a Cold Front?
Along the cold front.
What is a Warm Front?
The boundary where a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass.
What weather is associated with Warm Fronts?
Steady, gentle precipitation, followed by warmer, more humid air.
Where does rain typically occur during a Warm Front?
Ahead of the warm front, spread over a large area.
What is a Stationary Front?
A boundary between two air masses that are not moving much.
What weather is associated with Stationary Fronts?
Prolonged periods of cloudy, rainy, or overcast conditions.
Where does rain typically occur during a Stationary Front?
Along the front.
What is an Occluded Front?
Formed when two cold air masses lift a warm air mass into the air.
What weather is associated with Occluded Fronts?
Complex weather, typically including rain, thunderstorms, or snow.
Where does rain typically occur during an Occluded Front?
On the front.
What is a Surface Weather Map?
Displays weather data like temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction, and precipitation across a region.
What do Isobars represent on a weather map?
Lines showing areas of equal pressure.
What do close isobars indicate?
Strong winds.
What are Low Pressure Systems associated with?
Cloudy, rainy, or stormy weather.
What is the direction of wind in Low Pressure Systems?
Counterclockwise and inward.
What weather is typically associated with High Pressure Systems?
Clear skies and dry weather.
What is the direction of wind in High Pressure Systems?
Clockwise and outward.
Fill in the blank: In Low Pressure, winds move ______ towards the center.
counterclockwise and inward.
Fill in the blank: In High Pressure, winds move ______ from the center.
clockwise and outward.
True or False: All storms in the USA move to the Northeast.
True.
