Author Question: Suppose a maritime polar air mass moving eastward from the Pacific Ocean travels across the United ... (Read 97 times)

student77 · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Suppose a maritime polar air mass moving eastward from the Pacific Ocean travels across the United States. Describe all of the modifications that could take place as this air mass moves eastward in winter. In summer.
What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

How do upper-air fronts form?
What will be the ideal response?

Bigfoot1984 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: The mP air mass would dry considerably as it crosses the Rockies. In winter, on the eastern side of the Rockies, the air mass would probably be warmer than the air it replaces. The air mass would also become more stable as it moves over the cold ground. Precipitation would probably occur along the leading edge of the air mass, especially if Gulf air moves northward ahead of it. In summer, an mP air mass on the eastern side of the Rockies would probably be cooler than the air it replaces. Heating the surface would make it unstable in the lowest layers and cumulus clouds might form. Also, along the advancing edge of the air mass, showers and thunderstorms would form as warm, humid air is forced to rise.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Upper-air fronts form when the tropopausethe boundary separating the troposphere from the stratospheredips downward and folds under the polar jet stream. In the fold, the isotherms are tightly packed, marking the position of the upper front. Although the upper front may not connect with a surface front, the position of the surface front is shown in diagrams.