they are vey cold and dry.
Scientists classify air masses according to their general characteristics and latitude. Artic air masses form at around 60 degrees latitude, Polar masses are at around 40 degrees latitude, warm tropical air masses are at 15 degrees latitude and very hot air masses form near the equator.
No the mass of air is a function of the thickness of the atmosphere.
over northern Canada and Alaska
Maritime polar air masses.
Air masses form when air remains over a region long enough to acquire the temperature and moisture characteristics of that area. This process typically occurs in large, stable regions where the air can stagnate, allowing it to reach thermal equilibrium with the underlying surface. As a result, air masses can be categorized based on their origin, such as maritime or continental, and their temperature profiles, such as tropical or polar.
Continental polar air masses originate over cold, dry regions in the northern hemisphere, such as northern Canada and Siberia. These air masses form when cold air masses move southward from the polar regions and become isolated over land, leading to cooling and drying.
Continental air masses. Tropical air masses form over water.
A cold air mass originates over water or land that is colder than the air temperature at the time. Cold air masses usually originate in the northwest and travel eastward. A warm air mass is formed from warm water or ground temperature that is warmer than the air at the time. Warm air masses usually originate in the southwest and travel east or northeast.
over northern Canada and Alaska
Cold air masses that form at high latitudes are called polar air masses. These air masses originate over the polar regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctic, and bring cold temperatures when they move towards lower latitudes.
Polar air masses develop over cold regions, primarily in the polar areas of the Earth, such as the Arctic and Antarctic. These air masses form when the surface temperature is significantly low, causing the air above to cool and become dense. As a result, polar air masses are characterized by cold temperatures and can influence weather patterns as they move towards lower latitudes.
Continental polar air masses form over cold, dry land areas near the poles, such as Siberia in Asia and northern Canada in North America. These air masses are responsible for bringing cold temperatures and dry weather when they move southward.