Air Masses and Their Effects

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

An air mass is a large volume of air which travels from one area to another. The weather it brings is determined by the region it has come from and the type of surface it has moved over.

Front

Name the 5 main types of air masses that affect Scotland.

Back

Tropical Maritime, Tropical Continental, Polar Maritime, Polar Continental, Arctic Maritime.

Front

What conditions does a Tropical Maritime air mass bring?

Back

Hot and wet conditions.

Front

What conditions does a Tropical Continental air mass bring?

Back

Hot and dry conditions.

Front

What conditions does a Polar Maritime air mass bring?

Back

Cold and wet conditions.

Front

What conditions does a Polar Continental air mass bring?

Back

Cold and dry conditions.

Front

What conditions does an Arctic Maritime air mass bring?

Back

Freezing and wet conditions.

Front

Which air masses commonly dominate Scotland’s weather?

Back

Tropical Continental, Polar Continental, and Arctic Maritime.

Front

List some effects of the Tropical Continental air mass.

Back

Hose pipe bans, reservoirs drying up, more people at beaches, increased sales of ice cream/suntan lotion, elderly struggling in heat, railway tracks too warm, increase in solar energy obtained.

Front

List some effects of the Polar Continental/Arctic Maritime air masses.

Back

Areas cut off by snow, pipes freezing and bursting, more road and pavement grit required, more accidents due to slipping, increased energy usage, working hours lost, people enjoy sledging.