Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

Air Masses

A large body of air with similar-TEMPERATURE- HUMIDITY

Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

Air Masses’ CharacteristicsSource Regions

Over warm area: the warm area makes the air above warm.

Over water: water evaporates into the air above and makes it moist.

Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

Types of Air Masses

1. Maritime: (m) moist (marina/water)

2. Continental: (c) dry (continents/land)

3. Tropical: (T) warm (tropics)

4. Polar: (P) cold (poles)

DESCRIPTION CONDITION LOCATION FORMED

Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

Types of Air Masses

Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

mPMaritime PolarMoist, cold air to west coast of the US.

mTMaritime Tropical

Moist, warm air to west coast of the Mexico.

mTMaritime TropicalMoist, warm air to southeast coast of the US.

cTContinental TropicalDry, warm to Desert SW

mPMaritime PolarMoist, cold air to east areas of the Canada

cPContinental Polar

Dry, cold air to centraland eastern US.

Types of Air Masses

Mr. Fetch’s Earth Science Classroom

Air Mass Modification

mPMaritime PolarMoist, cold air to west coast of the US.