Air Masses

Air Masses

Day 2

Air Masses

• Air Masses: Large bodies of air named for their temperature and moisture

• Air masses are defined first by their moisture 

  Continental= Dry Maritime= Wet

• Air masses are defined second by their temperature

  Polar= Cold Topical= Warm

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Polar Air Masses

Bring cold air from the North or South Pole

In the U.S. this cold air comes from Canada

Example States: New York, Oregon, Michigan, Massachusetts

cP= Dry and Cold mP= Moist and Cold

Multiple Choice

Which of the following does not define an air mass?

• Temperature

• Mass

• Moisture

Tropical Air Masses

Bring warm air from the Equator

In the U.S. this warm air comes from Mexico

Example States: North Carolina, Texas, California, Florida

cT: Dry and Warm mT= Moist and Warm

Multiple Select

Choose the locations likely to have a tropical air mass (2 correct answers)

• New York

• Florida

• Texas

• Massachusetts

Maritime Air Masses

Bring wet air from the oceans

In the U.S. this wet air comes from the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans Example States: California, New York, North Carolina, Oregon (coastal)

mT: Moist and Warm mP= Moist and Cold

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a maritime air mass?

• New York

• North Carolina

• Montana

• Virginia

Continental Air Masses

Bring dry air from land

In the U.S. these areas/ states are in the middle of the country Example States: Oklahoma, Wyoming, Kentucky

cT: Dry and Warm cP: Dry and Cold

Multiple Choice

How would you correctly write a Maritime Polar Air Mass?

• mP

• MP

• Mp

• mp

Multiple Choice

If a Polar air mass and a Tropical air mass meet, which will rise to the top?

• Polar

• Tropical