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Air Mass Definition

An air mass is a large body of air with similar temperature and humidity. For example, hot and dry air masses can be found in desert regions.

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Air Masses & Weather Fronts

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Air masses form weather fronts when they collide, resulting in dramatic changes such as wind, rain, and thunderstorms.
  • Throughout the Earth's surface, there are about 20 different air masses.
  • Air masses that form over oceans tend to be humid.

Why Do We Need To Know About Air Mass

Learning about air masses helps us know more about the weather and why it’s important to predict it for safety and making plans. Meteorologists use tools to check the air’s pressure, wind, temperature, and wetness. Knowing about air masses helps them warn us about bad weather like tornadoes and hurricanes.

Studying air masses is good for finding a job in weather science. Weather experts make computer models better, and sometimes go into bad weather to get important information. Their work gets better with new technology, showing how knowing about air masses is key to keeping people and their things safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you describe an air mass?
An air mass is a large mass of air that has similar characteristics such as temperature and humidity.
What causes air masses to move around?
Prevailing winds, which are winds that blow in one direction, move air masses around. These winds are caused by the uneven heating of air.
What happens when two air masses crash into each other?
When two air masses collide, they form a weather front. Dramatic weather changes can happen such as wind, rain and thunderstorms.
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