Air Masses

Air Masses

Meteorology Section #3 Re-test Study Guide

Watch the video as you take/re-take notes on air masses in your notebook.

Have your reference tables out.

• Air masses are large bodies of air that have similar temperature and moisture characteristics.

• They are classified based on their humidity and temperature.

• Four main types of air masses are Continental Polar (cP), Continental Tropical (cT), Maritime Polar (mP), and Maritime Tropical (mT).

​Air Masses

Continental

Look at the air masses chart on page 13 of your reference tables as you read this slide.

Formed over land therefore dry air.

Maritime

Formed over water therefore humid air.

Tropical

Polar

Formed over warm area therefore warm air.

Formed over cold area therefore cold air.

Match

Match the following

• TROPICAL

• POLAR

• CONTINENTAL

• MARITIME

Warm air

Cold air

Dry air

Humid air

• Warm air

• Cold air

• Dry air

• Humid air

Multiple Choice

Air masses all have the same: 

• Temperature & Humidity
• Humidity Only
• Level of Sunlight & Temperature
• Windspeed 

Continental Tropical (cT)

Look at the air masses chart on page 13 of your reference tables as you read this slide.

Maritime Tropical (mT)

Continental Polar (cP)

Maritime Polar (mP)

​Air mass that formed over warm land.

​Air mass that formed over cold land.

​Air mass that formed over warm water.

​Air mass that formed over cold water.

Multiple Choice

An air mass is hot and humid. Which type of air mass is being described? 

• Tropical Maritime
• Tropical Continental
• Polar Maritime
• Polar Continental

Multiple Choice

An air mass is cold and dry. Which type of air mass is being described? 

• Tropical Maritime
• Tropical Continental
• Polar Maritime
• Polar Continental

Multiple Choice

Which type of air mass is characterized by similar temperature and moisture characteristics?

• Continental Polar (cP)

• Continental Tropical (cT)

• Maritime Polar (mP)

• Maritime Tropical (mT)

Multiple Choice

Which type of air mass is characterized by its source region and temperature characteristics?

• Maritime (mT)

• Continental (cT)

• Polar (P)

• Arctic (A)