Essential Question:
How do interactions between air masses cause changes in local weather, and how can we use data to predict these weather patterns?

Engage: Be ready to respond to these two statements following the video.

​What is one fact about air masses?

What is one fact about fronts?

​Explore: Weather Detectives

Each clue describes an air mass moving into a region. Predict the local weather changes with your partners based on the clues. Describe the type of air mass (where it comes from) and what weather it will bring.

Clue 1: An air mass forms over warm ocean water and moves toward Tennessee.

Clue 2: A very cold and dry air mass drops down from Canada and pushes into a warmer area.

Clue 3: A warm, dry air mass from the southwest meets a cool, moist air mass.

​Explain: Turn to page 37 in your booklet.

​Turn to page 40 in your booklet. Complete the chart according to the characteristics of each air mass.

​Elaborate: Air Mass Trading Cards

You will create four mini ‘Air Mass Trading Cards’—one for each major air mass. Each card should include:
1) A simple drawing that represents the air mass

2) A label of where it forms

3) A label of its temperature (warm/cold)

4) A label of its humidity level (dry/humid

I will give you a sheet of white paper. Fold the paper in half twice to make four boxes