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Air Masses Air Masses Weather changes when new air masses move into the area. An AIR MASS is a large volume of air in which temperature and humidity are nearly the same. Formation They form when air sits over a large area for many days. The air takes on the characteristics of the land or water below. They can cover thousands of square miles. Movement As air masses move they bring their characteristics along with it Review What is an air mass? How can weather change with the arrival of a new air mass? Characteristics The characteristics of an air mass depend upon where they come from. Every air mass has two names. – One for moisture – One for temperature Moisture The first word to describe an air mass tells where it was formed (how much water it contains). Maritime (wet) – form over water. Continental (dry) – form over land Temperature The second word describes the temperature or where it began. Tropical (warm)– form closer to the equator. Polar (cold) – form closer to the poles. Examples Continental Tropical: dry and warm Continental Polar: dry and cold Maritime Tropical: wet and warm Maritime Polar: wet and cold Review What does each word of the air mass’s name represent? Explain the Air Masses Air Masses Real World Uses Meteorologists use abbreviations for the words. Continental is written as “c” Maritime is written as “m” Tropical is written as “T” Polar is written as “P” Practice Assign a name to the following – A wet, cold air mass – A dry, warm air mass – A dry, cold air mass – A wet, warm air mass How do air masses move? Global winds move air masses. Generally move west to east in the U.S. As the air mass moves, so does its characteristics.