ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
•The
wettest air is called maritime air, while
the driest is called continental.
•Air
deemed, from warmest to coolest, tropical, polar, or arctic
•Once
formed, air masses migrate within the general circulation.
•Upon
movement, air masses displace residual air over locations thus
changing temperature and humidity characteristics.
•Further,
the air masses themselves moderate from surface influences.
North American air masses and
air mass source regions
Air Masses
(from Weather & Climate)