Week 7-8

Fronts and Air Masses

Common types of each
 Air Pressure
 Humidity

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
 describe and identify the different types of front and wind ;
 discuss the four types of air masses and humidity;
 illustrate and interpret fronts and air masse;
 appreciate the importance of studying fronts and air masses.

Activity

Naming & locating air masses

An air mass is a large body of air with relatively uniform temperature and humidity
characteristics. Air masses form over large land or water surfaces and take on the temperature and
moisture characteristics of these surfaces where they remain stationary for days, or even weeks.
Their temperature characteristics are classified as maritime or continental. The following types of air
masses result:

• Maritime equatorial (mE) • Maritime tropical (mT) • Maritime polar (mP) • Continental tropical
(cT) • Continental polar (cP) • Continental arctic (cA)

Based on the source regions shown by the ovals, use the appropriate two-letter code to
indicate each air mass type.

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 7

World Map Wikipedia https://www.google.com/search?q=world+map

Analysis

1. What did you feel while doing the activity?

2. What are the types of air masses?
3. How do air masses get their characteristics?
4. How air masses classified?

Analysis

 5 points max - factual, complete, accurate, concise, comprehensive, and efficient relay of ideas
 3 points max - effective manner or structure of explanation of knowledge or ideas (grammar and
convincing or persuasiveness factor)
 2 points max – less factual, complete, accurate, concise, comprehensive, and efficient relay of ideas

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Abstraction

Air Masses and Fronts

Graphic by: Yiqi Shao

Air Masses

Uniform bodies of air

An air mass is a large body of air that has similar temperature and moisture properties throughout. The best
source regions for air masses are large flat areas where air can be stagnant long enough to take on the
characteristics of the surface below. Maritime tropical air masses (mT), for example, develop over the
subtropical oceans and transport heat and moisture northward into the U.S.. In contrast, continental polar air
masses (cP), which originate over the northern plains of Canada, transport colder and drier air southward.

Once an air mass moves out of its source region, it is modified as it encounters surface conditions different
than those found in the source region. For example, as a polar air mass moves southward, it encounters

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warmer land masses and consequently, is heated by the ground below. Air masses typically clash in the
middle latitudes, producing some very interesting weather.

Maritime Tropical Air Masses

Warm temperatures and rich in moisture

Maritime tropical air masses originate over the warm waters of the tropics and Gulf of Mexico, where heat and
moisture are transferred to the overlying air from the waters below. The northward movement of tropical air
masses transports warm moist air into the United States, increasing the potential for precipitation.

Continental Polar Air Masses

Cold temperatures and little moisture

Those who live in northern portions of the United States expect cold weather during the winter months. These
conditions usually result from the invasion of cold arctic air masses that originate from the snow covered
regions of northern Canada. Because of the long winter nights and strong radiational cooling found in these
regions, the overlying air becomes very cold and very stable. The longer this process continues, the colder the
developing air mass becomes, until changing weather patterns transport the arctic air mass southward.

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Air masses form over large surfaces with uniform temperatures and humidity, called source regions.
Low wind speeds let air remain stationary long enough to take on the features of the source region, such as
heat or cold. When winds move air masses, they carry their weather conditions (heat or cold, dry or moist) from
the source region to a new region. When the air mass reaches a new region, it might clash with another air
mass that has a different temperature and humidity. This can create a severe storm.

Meteorologists identify air masses according to where they form over the Earth. There are four categories for
air masses: arctic, tropical, polar and equatorial. Arctic air masses form in the Arctic region and are very
cold. Tropical air masses form in low-latitude areas and are moderately warm. Polar air masses take shape in
high-latitude regions and are cold. Equatorial air masses develop near the Equator, and are warm.

4 Types of Air Masses

Generally, there are four types of air masses that can be further categorized with specifics of where they
occur and over water or land. The 4 types of air masses are polar, tropical, continental and maritime. Their
classification depends on their location where they are formed.

Type 1: The Coldest of All

Air masses at the Polar Regions form between 60 degrees latitude and the North or South Pole. Northern
Canada and Siberia are common sources of these cold, dry masses, although they can also form over water.

Because they are extremely dry, polar masses have few clouds. Meteorologists use a capital P to refer to
these masses. Some resources differentiate between polar air masses and extremely cold ones that form
very close to the poles. Arctic masses are abbreviated with an “A,” while Antarctic masses use “AA.”

Type 2: Warming Up

Tropical air masses form within 25 degrees latitude of the equator. This means that the temperature will be
warm or even hot. These masses, abbreviated with a “T,” can develop over land or water. Source regions
include the Gulf of Mexico, southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As the air from these air
masses moves over the land of the US, they will rapidly cool and usually result in precipitation and storms.

Type 3: Land Ho!

Continental air masses develop between 25 and 60 degrees latitude, either north or south of the equator. As
indicated by their name, they form over large land areas, so they're dry. Since meteorologists consider this a
secondary classification, it’s represented by a lower case “c.” When describing an air mass, meteorologists
indicate both the humidity and temperature, in that order.

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For example, an air mass that originates over northern land is labeled “cP” for continental and polar regions.
This air is dry and cold. A very dry and hot air mass that forms around the U.S. and Mexican border is
labeled “cT” -- continental and tropical. This usually does not include air masses that form over mountainous
regions.

Type 4: Water, Water Everywhere

Air masses with high humidity form over oceans. This “maritime” classification corresponds to the same
latitudes as continental masses. It is also considered a secondary category and is abbreviated “m.”
Therefore, a humid, cold mass that develops over polar oceans is categorized as “mP.”

This type of air mass impacts the U.S. west coast in winter. Humid and warm air masses often come from
the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic Ocean and are labeled “mT.” These have a strong effect on
weather in the American southwest.

For further learning please click the link

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/air-mass/#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20categories
%20for,areas%20and%20are%20moderately%20warm.

Location of Air masses https://www.google.com/search?q=naming+and+locating+air+masses

Fronts

The boundaries between air masses

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A front is defined as the transition zone between two air masses of different density. Fronts extend not only in
the horizontal direction, but in the vertical as well. Therefore, when referring to the frontal surface (or frontal
zone), we referring to both the horizontal and vertical components of the front.

The types of fronts

Stationary Front
A front that is not moving

When a warm or cold front stops moving, it becomes a stationary front. Once this boundary resumes its
forward motion, it once again becomes a warm front or cold front. A stationary front is represented by
alternating blue and red lines with blue triangles pointing towards the warmer air and red semicircles pointing
towards the colder air.

A noticeable temperature change and/or shift in wind direction is commonly observed when crossing from one
side of a stationary front to the other.

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 Image by: WXP Purdue

In the map above, temperatures south of the stationary front were in the 50's and 60's with winds generally
from the southeast. However, north of the stationary front, temperatures were in the 40's while the winds had
shifted around to the northeast. Cyclones migrating along a stationary front can dump heavy amounts of
precipitation, resulting in significant flooding along the front.

Cold Front
Transition zone from warm air to cold air

A cold front is defined as the transition zone where a cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass. Cold fronts
generally move from northwest to southeast. The air behind a cold front is noticeably colder and drier than the
air ahead of it. When a cold front passes through, temperatures can drop more than 15 degrees within the first
hour.

Symbolically, a cold front is represented by a solid line with triangles along the front pointing towards the
warmer air and in the direction of movement. On colored weather maps, a cold front is drawn with a solid blue
line.

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There is typically a noticeable temperature change from one side of a cold front to the other. In the map of
surface temperatures below, the station east of the front reported a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit
while a short distance behind the front, the temperature decreased to 38 degrees. An abrupt temperature
change over a short distance is a good indicator that a front is located somewhere in between.

If colder air is replacing warmer air, then the front should be analyzed as a cold front. On the other hand, if
warmer air is replacing cold air, then the front should be analyzed as a warm front. Common characteristics
associated with cold fronts have been listed in the table below.

Before Passing While Passing After Passing

Winds south-southwest gusty; shifting west-northwest

Temperature warm sudden drop steadily dropping

Pressure falling steadily minimum, then sharp rise rising steadily

increasing: Ci, Cs and 
Clouds Cb Cu
Cb

short period of heavy rains, sometimes with hail, thunder and

Precipitation showers then clearing
showers lightning

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 good, except in
Visibility fair to poor in haze poor, followed by improving
showers

Dew Point high; remains steady sharp drop lowering

Table adapted from: Ahrens, (1994)

Warm Front

Transition zone from cold air to warm air

A warm front is defined as the transition zone where a warm air mass is replacing a cold air mass. Warm fronts
generally move from southwest to northeast and the air behind a warm front is warmer and more moist than
the air ahead of it. When a warm front passes through, the air becomes noticeably warmer and
more humid than it was before.

Symbolically, a warm front is represented by a solid line with semicircles pointing towards the colder air and in
the direction of movement. On colored weather maps, a warm front is drawn with a solid red line.

There is typically a noticeable temperature change from one side of the warm front to the other. In the map of
surface temperatures below, the station north of the front reported a temperature of 53 degrees Fahrenheit

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while a short distance behind the front, the temperature increased to 71 degrees. An abrupt temperature
change over a short distance is a good indication that a front is located somewhere in between.

If warmer air is replacing colder air, then the front should be analyzed as a warm front. If colder air is replacing
warmer air, then the front should be analyzed as a cold front. Common characteristics associated with warm
fronts have been listed in the table below.

While
Before Passing After Passing
Passing

Winds south-southeast variable south-southwest

Temperature cool-cold, slow warming steady rise warmer, then steady

Pressure usually falling leveling off slight rise, followed by fall

in this order: Ci, Cs, As, Ns, St, and fog; clearing with scattered Sc;

Clouds stratus-type
occasionally Cb in summer occasionally Cb in summer

light-to-moderate rain, snow, sleet, or usually none, sometimes light rain

Precipitation drizzle or none
drizzle or showers

poor, but
Visibility poor fair in haze
improving

Dew Point steady rise steady rise, then steady

Table adapted from: Ahrens, (1994)

Occluded Front

When a cold front overtakes a warm front

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A developing cyclone typically has a preceding warm front (the leading edge of a warm moist air mass) and a
faster moving cold front (the leading edge of a colder drier air mass wrapping around the storm). North of the
warm front is a mass of cooler air that was in place before the storm even entered the region.

As the storm intensifies, the cold front rotates around the storm and catches the warm front. This forms an
occluded front, which is the boundary that separates the new cold air mass (to the west) from the older cool air
mass already in place north of the warm front. Symbolically, an occluded front is represented by a solid line
with alternating triangles and circles pointing the direction the front is moving. On colored weather maps, an
occluded front is drawn with a solid purple line.

Changes in temperature, dew point temperature, and wind direction can occur with the passage of an occluded
front. In the map below, temperatures ahead (east of) the front were reported in the low 40's while
temperatures behind (west of) the front were in the 20's and 30's. The lower dew point temperatures behind
the front indicate the presence of drier air.

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 Image by: WXP Purdue

A noticeable wind shift also occurred across the occluded front. East of the front, winds were reported from the
east-southeast while behind the front, winds were from the west-southwest. Common characteristics
associated with occluded fronts have been listed in the table below.

Before Passing While Passing After Passing

Winds southeast-south variable west to northwest

Temperature
Cold Type cold-cool dropping colder
Warm Type cold rising milder

Pressure usually falling low point usually rising

Clouds in order: Ci, Cs, As, Ns Ns, sometimes Tcu and Cb Ns, As or scattered Cu

light, moderate or heavy

light, moderate or light-to-moderate precipitation
Precipitation continuous precipitation or
heavy precipitation followed by general clearing
showers

Visibility poor in precipitation poor in precipitation improving

usually slight drop, especially if slight drop, although may rise a

Dew Point steady
cold-occluded bit if warm-occluded

Table adapted from: Ahrens, (1994)

Dry Line

A moisture boundary

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A dry line is a boundary that separates a moist air mass from a dry air mass. Also called a "Dew Point Front",
sharp changes in dew point temperature can be observed across a dry line. Dry lines are most commonly
found just east of the Rocky Mountains, separating a warm moist air mass to the east from a hot dry air mass
to the west.

States like Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska frequently experience dry lines in the spring
and summer. Dry lines are extremely rare east of the Mississippi River.

Image by: WXP Purdue

Dew points east (ahead) of the dry line shown above range from the upper 50's to low 70's with winds from the
southeast. West of the dry line, dew points were in the 20's and 30's, a decrease of nearly 50 degrees. Air
temperatures ahead of the dry line were generally in the 70's and 80's while behind the dry line, temperatures
ranged from the mid 80's to mid 90's. Drier air behind dry lines lifts the moist air ahead of it, triggering the
development of thunderstorms along and ahead of the dry line (similar to cold fronts). It is not uncommon for
tornadic supercells to develop along a dry line.

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For further learning please click this link https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/how-weather-works/weather-
fronts, http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/learning-tools/fronts How to read weather map
https://scijinks.gov/weather-map/

Types Of Wind
Wind in simple terms is nothing but moving air. We all enjoy wind rustling through the leaves in our garden. It
has also expanded the range of transport and has provided a power source in terms of mechanical energy for
the generation of electricity in windmills and recreation purposes in hot air balloons. Wind power was also used
in voyages by sailors to direct their ships. When the winds are strong, they lead to the destruction of life and
property in the form of cyclones and storms, causing forest fires, landslides etc. In this article, we will learn
about the causes of wind and the destruction caused by winds.

Types of Wind

Wind blowing above the earth surface may be classified into five major types:

 Planetary winds

 Trade winds

 The westerlies

 Periodic winds

 Monsoon winds

 Land breeze

 Sea breeze

 Mountain and valley breeze

 Local winds

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Planetary Winds

Planetary winds comprise winds distributed throughout the lower atmosphere. The winds regularly blow
throughout the year confined within latitudinal belts, mainly in north-east and south-east directions or from
high-pressure polar-regions to low-pressure regions.

Trade Winds

These winds are also known as tropical easterlies and blow from the right in Northern hemisphere and to the
left in the Southern hemisphere due to Coriolis effect and Ferrel’s law. They start blowing from the sub-tropical
high-pressure areas towards the equatorial low-pressure belt. In the Northern hemisphere, they blow as
northeastern trades, and in the Southern hemisphere they blow as southeastern trades.

The Westerlies

These winds are also known as Shrieking Sixties, Furious Fifties, and Roaring Forties. They blow from the
subtropical high-pressure belts towards sub-polar low-pressure belts. The westerlies of Southern hemisphere
are stronger and constant than the westerlies of Nothern hemisphere.

Periodic Winds

These winds change their direction periodically as there is a change in the seasons. Following are the types of
periodic winds:

 Monsoon winds: The temperature difference created by the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of
Bengal and Himalayan wall forms the basis of monsoon in the Indian subcontinent.

 Land breeze: These winds blow from land to sea, carrying no moisture but dry and warm.

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  Sea breeze: These winds blow from sea to land, carrying some moisture.

 Mountain and valley breeze: Valley breeze is the hot air blowing from the valley which flows up to the
slopes of mountain slopes. In contrast, mountain breeze is the valley breeze that is the cold air from the
mountain flow towards the valley.

Local winds

The local winds include the sea and the land breeze created due to the pressure difference between the air
over the sea and the land regions. Loo is the local winds that blow in the northern part of India.

HUMIDITY

Humidity refers to the content of water vapour present in the gaseous form at a particular time and place.It is
measured by Hygrometer.

HUMIDITY CAPACITY 

It refers to the capacity of an air of certain volume at certain temperature to retain maximum amount of
moisture content.It is directly related with temperature i.e., higher the temperature, higher the humidity capacity
and lower the temperature lower the humidity capacity.

TYPES OF HUMIDITY

ABSOLUTE 
The total weight of moisture content (water vapour ) per volume of air at definite temperature is called absolute
humidity.It change with the change in temperature. So it decreases from equator towards poles and from
oceans to the continents.

SPECIFIC
It is defined as the mass of water vapour in grams contained in a kg of air and it represents the actual quantity
of moisture present in definite air.

RELATIVE
It is expressed as a measure of the amount of water vapor the air contains as a percentage of the total amount
it could contain at a specific temperature. If you think of air as a paper towel for a moment, it can only hold a
specific amount of water at a specific temperature. However, unlike a paper towel, the total amount of moisture
the air can hold changes as the temperature changes. As the air becomes warmer, it can hold a greater mass
of moisture.

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Consider this example of how the relative humidity changes as temperature changes with indoor air at 75°F
and 60% RH. If this air cools down (not from an air conditioner) to 70°F, the air can no longer hold as much
moisture, however the actual amount in the air has not changed, so it increases to about 70%.

SATURATED AIR The air having 100% relative humidity is called saturated air

DEW POINT The temperature at which an air becomes saturated is called dew point.

For further learning please click the link https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/agrometeorology/humidity-meaning-

and-types-atmospheric-pressure/88802

Application and Assessment

Drawing & interpreting fronts

The boundary between two unlike air masses is called a front and can be identified by any of the following
characteristics

• a sharp temperature change • a sharp moisture change • a sharp change in wind direction

Directions: Draw the frontal boundary in the figure below, and list which feature (from list above) you used to
help you determine its location: ___________________________.

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1. ____The type of front located at stations B and E is called a:

a. occluded front b. stationary front c. warm front d. Cold front

2. ____As time passes, which best describes the incoming weather at station F?

a. dry heat b. snow c. heavy rain d. cold

3. ____What type of weather should they expect in southern California in a few days?

7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
777777777a. warm and wet b. cool and wet c. warm and dry d. cool and dry

4. What is the connection between weather fronts and air masses?

5. Why is it important to study air masses and fronts?

6. How do winds and air masses affect climate?

7. How do air masses and fronts influence the weather?

8. What are the fronts and air masses that may occur in our country? Site some journals or research about this
and kindly make a reflection about this.

Rubric for Discussion

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ROZETTE E. MERCADO, PhD
 Score Knowledge Understanding Writing skills Application/
Analysis
5 Comprehensive, in-depth Outstanding ability Excellent Grasps inner
and wide ranging to grasp concepts mechanics, relationship of
and Relate theory sentence structure, concepts, Excellent
to practice and organization use of a wide range
of supporting
material
4 Up to date and relevant High level of ability Significant Demonstrates the
to conceptualize mechanics, ability to analyze
essential ideas and structure and and synthesize,
relate theory to organization independent
practice analysis, good use
of a range of
supportive material
3 Relevant but not Some ability to Some grammatical Informed
comprehensive conceptualize lapses, uses commentary with
essential ideas and emotional response some evidence of
relate theory to in lieu of relevant genuine analysis;
practice points some supportive
materials used
2 Limited superficial Limited ability to Poor grammar, Some observations,
knowledge/respo nse draw out concepts weak some supportive
and relate theory to communication evidence used
practice
1 Little relevance/some Minimal awareness Lack of clarity, poor Lacks evidence of
accuracy that external presentation of critical analysis,
concepts exist thinking poor use of
supportive evidence
Source: https://www.utica.edu/academic/Assessment/new/rubrics%20for%20discussion.pdf

Assignment

Make a reflection about this lesson. You can site any journals, articles or any videos about this lesson. Make a
reflection about this.

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 Determine what you have learned (the knowledge that serve as your foundation to stand and keep); the
things you have realized and appreciated (attitude towards learning) and the things you discovered (skills that
you will cherish in life).

Rubric for Student Reflections

Above Meets Approaching Below

Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations
10-9 8-7 6-5 4-3
Reflective The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection does
Thinking explains the explains the attempts to not address the
student’s own student’s thinking demonstrate student’s thinking
thinking and about his/her own thinking about and/or learning
learning processes, learning processes. learning but is
as well as vague and/or
implications for unclear about the
future learning. personal learning
process.
Analysis The reflection is an The reflection is an The reflection The reflection does
in-depth analysis of analysis of the attempts to analyze not move beyond a
the learning learning experience the learning description of the
experience, the and the value of the experience but the learning
value of the derived derived learning to value of the experience.
learning to self or self or others. learning to the
others, and the student or others is
enhancement of vague and/or
the student’s unclear.
appreciation for the
discipline.
Making The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection does
Connections articulates multiple articulates attempts to not articulate any
connections connections articulate connection to other
between this between this connections learning or
learning experience learning experience between this experiences.
and content from and content from learning experience
other courses, past other courses, past and content from
learning, life learning other courses, past
experiences and/or experiences, and/or learning

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 future goals. future goals. experiences, or
personal goals, but
the connection is
vague and/or
unclear.
Total 30-27 24-21 18-15 12-9
http://earlycollegeconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Portfolio-Rubric-for-Reflection.PRINT_.pdf

References:

Air mass. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/air-mass/#:~:text=There

%20are%20four%20categories%20for,areas%20and%20are%20moderately%20warm. Retrieved on October
9, 2020

Air masses and Fronts. Retrieved from: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/wwhlpr/af_graphic.rxml

Retrieved on October 9, 2020

Rachita G. Humidity: Meaning and Types | Atmospheric Pressure. Retrieved from:

https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/agrometeorology/humidity-meaning-and-types-atmospheric-pressure/88802
Retrieved on October 9, 2020

Types of Wind. Retrieved from: https://byjus.com/physics/types-of-wind/ Retrieved on October 9, 2020

Sherwood. 2019. What are air masses? Retrieved from: https://sciencing.com/four-types-air-mass-

11902.html Retrieved on October 9, 2020

What is humidity? -Types of humidity. Retrieved from: https://generalstudies4u.com/what-is-humidity/. Retrieved on

October 9, 2020

Weather Activity Retrieved from:

https://www.mrsd.org/cms/lib/NH01912397/Centricity/Domain/194/weather%20activity%20_3-%20air
%20masses%20fronts.pdf Retrieved on October 11, 2020

Weather Fonts. Retrieved from: https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/how-weather-works/weather-fronts

Retrieved on October 9, 2020

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Additional Information Pls. click

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZauEoUmQbYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwIQds-4I7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4lg8UfY5DM

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sanjac-earthscience/chapter/video-air-mass/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/air-masses-and-weather-fronts.html

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