Generalized map of air mass source regions and trajectories for North America. Notice in Figure 4.1 where air masses with different characteristics usually meet, and where frontal lifting might occur.įigure 4.1. This uplifting causes condensation and cloud formation to occur and the possibility of precipitation along the frontal boundary. This means that where air masses converge, the warmer air is uplifted. At a front, warmer air will override the denser, colder air. Such an area of intensification is called a frontal zone, or more commonly, a front. Combining these two categories, several possibilities are commonly found associated with weather in North America ( Figure 4.1): maritime polar ( mP), continental polar( cP), maritime tropical ( mT), continental tropical ( cT), and continental arctic ( cA).įrequently two air masses, especially tropical and polar, develop a sharp boundary or interface. Air masses are also classified as being either continental or maritime in terms of moisture characteristics. A source region can have one of four temperature attributes: Equatorial, tropical, polar, and arctic (this terminology is at first somewhat confusing because “polar” does not in fact refer to air masses originating at the poles). Typically, air masses are classified according to the characteristics of their source region or area of formation. Use computer model forecasts to predict weather in the immediate future.Īn air massis a large body of air of relatively similar temperature and humidity characteristics covering thousands of square kilometers.Interpret present climatic conditions from synoptic weather maps.Understand the role of air masses, fronts, and mid-latitude cyclones in producing weather on our planet.Upon completion of this laboratory you will be able to: In this laboratory, we will examine the process of mid-latitude cyclone development and will learn some basic techniques of weather forecasting in the middle latitudes.
Michael Pidwirny LABORATORY 4 : MID-LATITUDE CYCLONES, WEATHER MAPS, AND FORECASTING LEARNING GOALS
0 kommentar(er)
