answersLogoWhite

0

What is air masses?

Updated: 9/17/2019
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Best Answer

a large body of air over the earth's surface


---- Air Massesuniform bodies of air An air mass is a large body of air that has similar temperature and moisture properties throughout. The best source regions for air masses are large flat areas where air can be stagnant long enough to take on the characteristics of the surface below. Maritime tropical air masses (mT), for example, develop over the subtropical oceans and transport heat and moisture northward into the U.S.. In contrast, continental polar air masses (cP), which originate over the northern plains of Canada, transport colder and drier air southward. ---- ---- Once an air mass moves out of its source region, it is modified as it encounters surface conditions different than those found in the source region. For example, as a polar air mass moves southward, it encounters warmer land masses and consequently, is heated by the ground below. Air masses typically clash in the middle latitudes, producing some very interesting weather. ----


User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

An airmass is a widespread body of air, which have been established while the air was situated over an airmass source region, and which is modified while in transit away from the source region.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is air masses?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What does Air masses?

There are two types of air masses: COLD AIR AND WARM AIR.Cold Air Masses-Cold air masses can cause thunderstorms and even tornadoes.Warm Air Masses-Warm air masses can bring many hours of steady rain and snow.


What types of air masses do jet streams separate?

It separates hot air masses and cold air masses


What moving air masses cause?

The temperature and density of the air masses. the air masses moves when hot air and cold air gets together


What does air mass cause?

There are two types of air masses: COLD AIR AND WARM AIR.Cold Air Masses-Cold air masses can cause thunderstorms and even tornadoes.Warm Air Masses-Warm air masses can bring many hours of steady rain and snow.


What does mass cause?

There are two types of air masses: COLD AIR AND WARM AIR.Cold Air Masses-Cold air masses can cause thunderstorms and even tornadoes.Warm Air Masses-Warm air masses can bring many hours of steady rain and snow.


How do air masses get there characteristics?

Air masses get their characteristics from where they are made


Are warm air masses lighter than cold air masses?

Warm air masses are lighter than cold air masses because the molecules of cold air move slower than the warm air's molecules.


What are the 5 types of air masses?

The five types of air masses are polar, tropical, maritime, continental, and arctic. Polar air masses are cold and dry, tropical air masses are warm and dry, maritime air masses are warm and moist, continental air masses are dry and cold, and arctic air masses are extremely cold and dry.


What are two types of air masses that occur and how ar air masses related to fronts?

Two types of air masses are cold and warm air masses. When they meet each other, a front forms.


Do cool air masses flow over warm air masses?

No, as cold air is denser.


How do scientists classify air masses?

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.


What are the types of air masses?

The 4 major air masses are continental polar (cP), continental tropical (cT), marine polar (mP) and marine tropical (mT). Generally, continental air masses are drier than marine air masses, and polar air masses are cooler than tropical air masses. cT air masses are relatively limited in distribution existing in the south west North America and North Africa.