What does Continental mean in air mass?

Continental air mass, vast body of air that forms over the interior of a continent, excluding mountainous areas.

How does an air mass get its name?

Air masses are NAMED by their temperature and humidity characteristics. The humidity characteristic is derived from the type of surface over which the air mass sits. Air masses originating near the equator are EQUATORIAL, designated by the capital letter E. These are considered hot air masses.

Is Continental Tropical an air mass?

Continental Tropical air masses (cT) are a type of tropical air produced by the subtropical ridge over large areas of land and typically originate from low-latitude deserts such as the Sahara Desert in northern Africa, which is the major source of these air masses. Arctic, Antarctic, and polar air masses are cold.

What are air masses classify them?

Air masses are commonly classified according to four basic source regions with respect to latitude. These are Polar (cold), Arctic (very cold), Equatorial (warm and very moist), and Tropical (warm).

What are the characteristics of the continental air mass?

• Continental air masses are characterized by dry air near the surface while maritime air masses are moist.
• Polar air masses are characterized by cold air near the surface while tropical air masses are warm or hot. Arctic air masses are extremely cold.

Where do air masses get their characteristics?

An air mass is a large body of air with generally uniform temperature and humidity. The area over which an air mass originates is what provides its characteristics. The longer the air mass stays over its source region, the more likely it will acquire the properties of the surface below.

What are the characteristics of a continental tropical air mass?

Continental tropical air masses originate in northern Mexico. They are characterized by clear skies and negligible rainfall. If one moves into the Great Plains and stagnates, a severe drought can result. Air masses can be modified significantly as they pass over regions with different characteristics.

What are the 2 types of continental air masses?

Maritime air masses form over water and are humid. Continental air masses form over land and are dry. Therefore, an air mass that develops over northern Canada is called a continental polar air mass and is cold and dry. One that forms over the Indian Ocean is called a maritime tropical air mass and is warm and humid.

Which air mass is humid and warm?

Continental air masses form over land and are dry. Therefore, an air mass that develops over northern Canada is called a continental polar air mass and is cold and dry. One that forms over the Indian Ocean is called a maritime tropical air mass and is warm and humid.

What is a CT air mass?

Continental tropical (cT) air masses are hot, dry, unstable at low levels and generally stable aloft (upper-level ridge) Continental tropical air masses originate in northern Mexico. They are characterized by clear skies and negligible rainfall.

What is the definition of continental polar air mass?

Continental Polar air masses (cP) are air masses that are cold and dry due to their continental source region.

What is ca air mass?

Continental polar (cP) or continental arctic (cA) air masses are cold, dry, and stable. These air masses originate over northern Canada and Alaska as a result of radiational cooling. They move southward, east of Rockies into the Plains, then eastward.