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Module E

Unit 2
Lesson 1
Exploration 3
How Fronts
Change Weather
Count the number of slides that reference pressure systems, air
masses, or types of fronts
● A huge body of air with
similar temperature, &
humidity throughout

● Develops over Earth’s

surface & stays in one
region for many
days/weeks
● Gradually take on
characteristics of the
water or land below
them
● Example
○ Warm, dry over
desert
○ Cold, humid over
Arctic waters
 Air mass description chart
Create and complete your own version of

The Air Mass description chart

on Page 87 in blue textbook

AS A LEFT SIDE PAGE

 The Movement of Air Masses

• Air Mass Movement is due to pressure

differences
• As it travels the land/water below it can
slowly change the air mass
• When two air masses meet the warmer air
mass will rise over the cooler air mass.
 The Formation of Fronts
● A front is the boundary between two unlike air masses.
● Commonly form as air masses rotate around low-pressure
areas
● Cause temperature change, precipitation, and may change
wind speed and direction
● There are four types of fronts:
○ Warm Front
○ Cold Front
○ Occluded Front
○ Stationary Front
● Cold air mass wedges beneath a warm air mass,
causing the warm air to rise.
● If the rising warm air is somewhat humid, scattered
clouds form.
● If the rising warm air is very humid, the water vapor
condenses into heavy clouds and causes
precipitation.
● Cold fronts usually move quickly and can bring rain,
snowstorms, and even thunderstorms.
● A warm air mass moves over a cold air mass.
● Warm fronts generally bring drizzly rain if the warm
air mass is humid, or scattered clouds if it is more
dry.
● Because warm air masses move slowly, the weather
may remain rainy or cloudy for several days.
● After a warm front passes, warm weather is likely.
● A cold front slows down and stops as warm air
moves toward it.
● Water vapor in the warmer air mass rises and
condenses to form rain, snow, or clouds.
● A stationary front generally causes many days
of clouds and precipitation.
● A fast-moving cold front catches up to a warm
front where the warm air mass has risen over a
cool air mass.
● When the cold air mass meets the cool air
mass, a boundary called an occluded front
forms.
● Because the warm air has been pushed up,
clouds and precipitation can occur
Create your version of this in your evidence ISN
 Evidence ISN Left Side Page

Which type of front is most likely

associated with the weather change
in the town in Utah? Record your
evidence.
 Watch the video. Think about the storm that swept over the
town in Utah. How did the clouds and snow form? Record as a
Left side page in Evidence ISN
 Exploration 2 & 3 Quiz study info.
1. Use Air Mass worksheet provided in class
2. What are weather fronts and what can you expect from them?
3. What are the different types of weather fronts and what are their
characteristics?
4. What causes weather?
5. What influence does the sun have on Weather?
6. What are isobars
7. What is a high pressure system and what are its characteristics?
8. What is a low pressure system and what are its characteristics?
 Hands on Lab

• Air mass interaction lab with water, Ice, and

hot water
• Hands on lab worksheet