Land and sea breezes are common in the low latitude regions because the coriolis foR4 the

winds as
well. Generally, where winds of the general circulation are strong, land The strength of sea breeze is
weakened where dense vegetation swamps and flde are not strong near the coas Effects of land and sea
breeze They can lower the temperature of coastal areas by as much as 15°c and as such h effect on very
hot hours of the day. They can produce advection fog Sea breeze hardly brings much precipitation
except when there is convergence with with different direction and local precipitation can occur at the
sea breeze front. 2) Valley (Anabatic) and Mountain (Katabatic) winds Valley and mountain winds occur
within a diurnal time frame. They occur in mountainous wide and deep valleys. In such areas, light winds
blow from the high mountain slopes down into the at night and from the valleys upwards to the
mountain slopes during the day. a) Valley or anabatic windsides of the mountains become warmer in
comparesurt the too valley. During the day high pressure prevails at the bottom of the valley and low
pressure on the s mountains. The wind which is found to rise upwards along the slopes of the mountains
during day known as valley wind. Characteristics of valley or anabatic winds →They are more regular or
stronger and more persistent. In the temperate and polar regions, they frequently continue after sunset
in summer w sunrise. This is due to the intense insolation and shorter night therefore they may
throughout the night. Effects of valley breeze Anabatic winds are associated with conditional instability
and this often produces cumulus and under very warm conditions, cumulo-nimbus clouds and this may
give rise to heavy precipitation some cases thunderstorms and lightening. b) Mountain or katabatic wind
During night time, the slope of the mountains cools down due to radiation. At this time, the floor
remains comparatively hot. So, the cool and heavy air comes down the slopes of the mount pressure
gradient is then produced and wind moves from high pressure to low pressure. The wind during night
time moves along the slope of the mountains towards the valley floor is known as the mou breeze.
Characteristics of mountain or katabatic winds →They are stronger than valley winds. → The speed of
katabatic winds are usually less than 10km per hour except where the cold air through narrow valleys
that may increase its strength to reach destructive speeds. This is beca steep slopes tend to increase the
speed of mountain winds, maximum wind speeds are general before dawn which is usually the coldest
period of the day. →The katabatic night winds are less regular and less persistent. Effects of valley
breeze → Mountain winds usually give rise to temperature inversion.

all is very moist, mountain breeze may the cold air in By moming if it occurs in winter. These fogs
develop at the valleys at the point of contact give rise to De are usually stronger if they blow over snow-
covered slopes and in areas such as Antarctica: no may reach the force of hurricanes with speeds of
80km per hour at times reaching 100km per the valley bottom and the relatively drier warmer air above
the valley. fog or at times frost hollow from midnigh AVC LUN pressure bn winds Land Sun Low pressure
Valley bredt High pressure Valley Valley (anabatic) wind High pressure Lond Menantain Moon Preere
Low pressure Mount Valley Maintain (katabatic) wind High pressure - the 26 6- alc ore in and mountain
ranges. The name was first applied to a wind of this kind that occurs in the Alps hison duty wind that
periodically descends the leeward slopes of nearly all e the phenomenon was first studied. Fohn winds
are rather common in mountainbat occurs in the Alp such as the Alps in Europe, Rockies in the United
States, Tianshan and Qinling in Chions around the nous parts ondes of opgehati local names: chinook in
the North American Rockichigan winds onda in the of Argentina. Causes of fohn winds ate he It is a rain
shadow wind that results from the subsequent adiabatic warming of air that has dropped nst of its
moisture on windward slopes. Fohn winds are caused by the subsidence of moist air after passing ligh
mountain. The air is forced to move upslope when encounters a mountain barrier. As the temperature
asreases with height, the moist air will become saturated and condense to form clouds and rain when it
aises to a certain height. The amount of water vapour that remains in the air therefore decreases. After
passing the ridge and descending along the leeward side of the mountain, the air becomes warmer than
quivalent elevations on the windward slopes due to different adiabatic lapse rates of moist and dry air.
Temperature of drier air will rise even faster. This results in dry and hot winds. 55 Fohn winds can raise
temperatures by as much as 14°c in just a matter of hours, Switzerland. Southem Germany and Austria
have a warmer climate due to the Fohn, as moist winds off the Mediterranean Sea blow over the Alps.
Effects of fohn winds Winds of this type are also called "snow-eaters" for their ability to make snow and
ice melt or sublimate rapidly causing avalanche and floods. Accordingly, fohn winds are known to
contribute to the disintegration of ice shelves in the Polar Regions. Fohn winds are notorious among
mountaineers in the Alps, especially those climbing the Eiger for whom the winds add further difficulty
in ascending an already difficult peak. → They are also associated with the rapid spread of wildfires,
making some regions which experience these winds particularly fire-prone. → Apart from bringing
warmer and drier weather, Fohn winds can cause serious natural disasters. They bring droughts, dry up
plants and farmlands, and exacerbate forest fires. Effects of winds on weather and man atmospheric
materials transported by wind, driven not exist. from the sit of the movement of d and weather occurs.
Without wind, weather would not exist. By

consequence, temperature variations are moved from one area of the globe to weather variations
within specific climate zones. angther Prevailing winds bring air from one type of climate to another. For
example, warm windsh over water tend to collect moisture as they travel; the water vapour in the air
will cond moves into colder climates, which is why temperate coastal areas often receive heavy rain

transfer between the human body and the surrounding increase the draft sensation. environment b ⇒
Wind speed is an important factor affecting the human body's thermal comfort. It will enhance the heat

Wind direction and velocity have significant influence on crop growth. Wind increas the supply off
hormones. Wind iner plants Turbulence in atmospherate Wind alters the balance of hormones. Wind
increases the e production in barley and rice. → As with all energy supply options, wind energy can have
adverse environmental impacts the potential to reduce, fragment or degrade habitat for wildlife, fish
and plants. Furth spinning turbine blades can pose a threat to flying wildlife like birds and bats. → Strong
winds are the most common means of destruction associated with hurricanes sometimes continuous
barrage can uproot trees, knock over buildings and homes, flying pote deadly debris around, sink or
ground boats, and flip cars. AIR MASSES An air mass is a large body of air with generally uniform
temperature and humidity. Air move in one direction and can spread over an area approximately 1,600
kilometers. The area over wh air mass originates is what provides its characteristics. The longer the air
mass stays over its source the more likely it will acquire the properties of the surface below. As such, air
masses are associa high pressure systems. Two different air masses can be separated and the line of
distinction is called 1 It is along these fonts that weather formation occurs. Air Masses have the
following characteristics. A large volume of air. Covers an extensive area. Has uniform temperature and
humidity. Distinct from the surrounding air. Retains its characteristics when it moves away. Formation of
Air Masses Air Masses are most common in the tropics, subtropics and high latitudes. The zones from
whi masses grow are called "source regions." These are generally tracts of ocean, desert or snow-
covered The large surfaces with uniform temperatures and humidity, where air masses originate
regions. Uneven warming and cooling of the earth's surface by the Sun gives rise to air masses. are
called Classification of Air Masses s named by the combind their climatic specifications classify the
world's major air masses mass is named by the combination of its humidity and temperature specificity.
The type of tempera an air origin: temperat specificity.ly decrease Air masses originating near the
equator are Equatorial. These are considered hot air mass Polar air masses are at still higher latitude.
These range from cool to cold depending on the position Infinix HOT 12-18 т

THE CORE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY FOR AVE CANDIDATES mass: The Arctic is the highest latitude of
origin of cold. Their source Aretic air every Maritime Polar: of origin is Arctic Ocean, Siberia, Northern
Canada and Southem Ocean. any air mass. This air mass is Maritime Polar air masses have their source
region over cold ocean currents or de ocean waters. This air mass can produce widespread rain or snow,
fog, drizzle, cloudy weather Casting light to moderate rain. Continental pleasant Polar: Continental Polar
air masses are cold to cool and dry. Continental Polar air weather in the summer. form over Canada and
Siberia. These air masses bring cold air during the winter and cool, relatively nent and may cause high
pollution levels, especially near and downstream from large industrial areas. The air mass is stable and
usually obstructs cloud formation. Air masses can also prevent the vertical te Continental me sufficiently
Polar air move south across the warmer land, the lower portion of the air mass may warming to light by
cause formation of clouds within the air mass Golf Stream. This air mass Tropical air mass results from
the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico asons across the south south eastern and eastern United States.
It is associated with cloudiness and papiation. Maritime tropical air masses are also known as trade air
masses is characterized by hot, humid conditions. These air masses form in almost Continental Tropical:
These are the hot, dry air masses which originate over Northem Mexico and es. Their Western United
States. This air mass moves into the United States through New Mexico, Arizona and and frequently
migrates eastward to Potentially ir masses which an ce region, Sated with ed a front. which air red plains
ed source es. An air ature that d. asses. Al sses. The ion of the Page 30 air masses acquire their
characteristics The nature of the surface over which the air mass passes. This greatly influences the
characteristics of an air mass. The surface can either be warm or cold. An mass passing over a warm
surface is heated from below. This creates a lapse rate that beings abou ability in the air mass. An air
mass passing over a cold surface is rather chilled at the base and this is an deal condition of stability. The
process which occurs within the air mass as it moves Such processes could be large scale convergence,
turbulence and convection and divergence. Convergence especially on a large scale may bring about the
rising of air which expands and cools adiabatically resulting to precipitation and as a consequence the air
mass becomes dry as moisture is moved from it. tate the 26- 16 Turbulence and convection result to
upward transfer of heat to upper levels of the atmosphere. These processes are therefore associated
with instability and the formation of clouds from which much crecipitation falls. This reduces the
moisture content of the air mass. ute 330 alc ith Divergence means sinking of air which results to the air
mass drying as a result of evaporation of moisture from it as it encounters higher temperatures in the
course of it descending 3) Conditions above affecting the air mass ne The conditions could cold it or
warm it. For instance, an air mass that is cooled from above will become unstable and steepening of the
lapse rate. This may lead to cloud formation and precipitation falling from the clouds. The result is a dry
air mass as its moisture is lost. Warming of the air mass from above gives stable conditions and the
moisture content of the air mass stays intact. 4) The time spent by the air mass passing over the surface
An air mass that passes over a surface very fast experience little modification unlike one that takes
longer to pass overs that face which may be highly modified.
cold. Their source Aretic the highest latitude of origin of any air mass. This of origin is Arctic Ocean,
Siberia, air mass is Northern Canada and Southern Occan Maritime Polar: Maritime Polar air masses
have their source region over cold ocean currents or de ocean waters. This air mass can produce
widespread rain or snow, fog, drizzle, cloudy weather elasting light to moderate rain. ferm over Canada
and Siberia. These air masses bring cold air during the winter and cool, relativels the summer. The air
mass is stable and usually obstructs cloud formation. Air masses can also prevent the vertical iher
pleasant weather in prent and may cause high pollution levels, especially near and downstream from
large industrial areas te Continental Polar air sufficiently move south across the warmer land, the lower
portion. of the air mass may light by warming to cause formation of clouds within the air mass.
Continental Polar: Continental Polar air masses are cold to cool and dry. Continental Polar air Maritime
Tropical: Maritime Tropical air mass results from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico ulf Stream. This
air mass is characterized by hot, humid conditions. These air form sons across the soupicabaith eastern
and eastern United States. It is associated with Cloudiness and citation Maritime masses are also known
as trade air masses. Continental Tropical: These are the hot, dry air masses which originate over
Northern Mexico and th Western United States. This air mass moves into the United States through New
Mexico, Arizona and Texas and frequently migrates eastward to north-eastward making Texas climate
hot and dry. How air masses acquire their characteristics The nature of the surface over which the air
mass passes. This greatly influences the characteristics of an air mass. The surface can either be warm or
cold. An mass passing over a warm surface is heated from below. This creates a lapse rate that brings
about stability in the air mass. An air mass passing over a cold surface is rather chilled at the base and
this is an deal condition of stability. The process which occurs within the air mass as it moves Such
processes could be large scale convergence, turbulence and convection and divergence. Convergence
especially on a large scale may bring about the rising of air which expands and cools adiabatically
resulting to precipitation and as a consequence the air mass becomes dry as moisture is moved from it.
Turbulence and convection result to upward transfer of heat to upper levels of the atmosphere. These
processes are therefore associated with instability and the formation of clouds from which much
precipitation falls. This reduces the moisture content of the air mass. Divergence means sinking of air
which results to the air mass drying as a result of evaporation of meisture from it as it encounters higher
temperatures in the course of it descending. 3) Conditions above affecting the air mass The conditions
could cold it or warm it. For instance, an air mass that is cooled from above will hocome unstable and
steepening of the lapse rate. This may lead to cloud formation and precipitation falling from the clouds,
and steepening dry air mass as its moisture is lost. Warming of the air mass from above gives stable
conditions and the moisture content of the air mass stays intact. 4) The time spent by the air mass
passing over the surfacer beger toepair mass that passehich may be highly modified. espent by the air
mass passin face very fast experience little modification unlike one that takes

Types and movement of air masses Types of air masses There two main types of air masses namely;
warm air masses and cold air masses 1) Warm air masses These are warm air masses formed over the
equator or desert areas where the solar maximum. In clear, almost cloudless days, the heat is reflected
back to the atmosphere. The wir b light and spreads. 2) Cold air masses Cold air masses are air masses
formed near the poles where solar radiation is at a mi cloudless days, the snow cover near the Poles,
reflect sunlight away, preventing the earth to warm up this persists for a long period of time, cold air
masses form over a large area. Movement of Air Masses Warm winds is light and tends to rise over cold
air which is heavy. Areas with warm light wa a low pressure zone. Cold wind is heavy and creates high
pressure. Wind flows from high pre is low the air remains stationary older masses to low pressure the
natural climatic conditions of that region-heat or cold when the win and in the process gathers theather
conditions along to a new region. Ansaoriginal on the move b air masses, they carry the new landscapes,
although retaining enough of its original qualities that ahe transform when this air mass reaches a new
area, it often clashes with another air mass with a temperature and humidity. This can create a severe
storm. Effect of Air masses on weather In a particular area, the occurrence of particular air masses helps
to ascertain the climate region. This in turn affects the types of vegetation that can be found there and
what can be cul successfully there. Droughts are the result of hot, dry air mass. This can destroy natural
vegetation and kill trees regions have the increase risk of devastating wildfires. At the boundaries
between air masses, the clash of masses of air with different characterimo lead to dynamic weather like
hail, tornadoes, high winds or ice storms. Air masses are important natural occurrence which may have
the following features:- It is within the transition zones that surface low pressure and fronts are most
often found. Dry air is denser than moist air. So, cold and dry air masses are stable because they have s
density and higher average molecular bulk. →Warm moist air masses are drifting due to their low
density. They expand because they have molecular weight. → Low pressure forces air mass movement
because it is light and contains less moisture. Thes generally sourced in land areas. →The mid-latitude
zones are unique. They can experience several different air mass types ove course of a year. Tropical and
Polar areas tend to have more uniform weather throughout the year, although the the can experience a
wet rainy season, a dry season and mild winters. The temperature around the poles de almost
completely on the angle of the sun which varies from season to season. Latitude, altitude, types of
ocean currents, sunshine hours, sunshine angle, natural veg temperature of the soil, snow cover,
prevailing wind, determine the character of an air mass. Air Masses and effects in Cameroon The
movement of two major air masses across the country account for the two main seasons. indycire
referred to as the trade winds. They originate in the Northt for the Isphere from the anticyclone and in
the south from the St. Helena anticyclone. The two air masses often converge over pressure centre
called the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) forming a front called the Inter-