GEOG112 – Spring 2020

Assignment 2- Air masses and synoptic scale atmospheric phenomena 20 points Due April 6, 2020 In the US, weather and climate are influenced by the temperature and moisture conditions of the air. In this respect, there are a limited number of air masses (bodies of air) that have specific characteristics that can affect North America, and some locations are never influenced by certain types of airmasses. The characteristics of the airmasses (temperature and humidity) are acquired by air sitting over specific regions. They are then forced to move into other areas by atmospheric motion driven by pressure imbalances. When the air moves, it carries those acquired characteristics into the new area influencing weather and climate. It may take a week or more for the air to acquire the characteristics of the new region, assuming of course it stays there long enough to change its traits/characteristics. Use the map of North America and the surrounding oceans on the next page to identify the locations where the 5 types of air masses form and indicate the direction in which they will typically move to influence weather in the United States. All responses to the tasks identified below that involve writing a comment or explanation should be typed and be clear yet concise. It should also be grammatically correct. You will turn in the map with outlined and labeled areas on it, AND the typed responses. This can be accomplished by sending either a scanned version of the map and a word document of the answers to tasks 3 through 6 to me via email attachment, or by using adobe acrobat or some other software to complete the map and the typed responses to tasks 3 through 6 via email attachment at jdurbin@usi.edu

Tasks 1) Identify where each specific air mass type forms by outlining the location specific on the map.

2) Identify and label the air masses by their correct name AND symbol in the correct location you identified on the map .

3) Identify each air mass’ specific moisture and temperature characteristics. (type this)

4) Comment on what is unique and what is similar between different air masses a. For example, which air masses are dry, which are moist, which are warm which are cold, and why! (type this)

5) Comment as to what conditions will occur when each air mass moves into a specific area. (type this)

6) Comment on what atmospheric feature(s) (hint: it involves pressure!) will force different airmasses to interact with one another and sketch an example on the map of what the feature would look like if it was located over the Evansville area. (type this AND draw on the map)

GEOG112 – Spring 2020

Name_____________________________