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How is the characteristic temperature and moisture of air masses are determined?

How is the characteristic temperature and moisture of air masses are determined?

Air masses are characterized by their temperature and humidity properties. The properties of air masses are determined by the the underlying surface properties where they originate. Upon movement, air masses displace residual air over locations thus changing temperature and humidity characteristics.

What does the temperature of an air mass depend on?

The first part of an air mass’ name describes its humidity. Air masses that form over the ocean, called maritime air masses, are more humid than those that form over land, called continental air masses. The second part of the name describes the temperature of the air mass, which depends on the latitude where it formed.

Do air masses rely on temperature and humidity?

Air masses form over large surfaces with uniform temperatures and humidity, called source regions. Low wind speeds let air remain stationary long enough to take on the features of the source region, such as heat or cold.

Where do air masses get their moisture and temperature from?

An air mass forms whenever the atmosphere remains in contact with a large, relatively uniform land or sea surface for a time sufficiently long to acquire the temperature and moisture properties of that surface. The Earth’s major air masses originate in polar or subtropical latitudes.

What are the two things that we use to classify air masses?

What two characteristics are used to classify air masses? The two characteristics that are used to classify air masses, are temperature and humidity.

What happens to the mass of air when it is heated?

A given amount (mass) of air takes up more space when it is hot. In other words, hot air is less dense than cold air. Any substance that is less dense than the fluid (gas or liquid) of its surroundings will float.

How are air masses classified according to their moisture content?

• Air masses are classified according to the temperature andit h titi fthi id moisture characteristics of their source regions. • Bases on moisture content: continental (dry) and maritime (moist) • Based on temppp(),p(),erature: tropical (warm), polar (cold), arctic (extremely cold).

Where does an air mass receive its characteristics?

Where an air mass receives it’s characteristics of temperature and humidity is called the source region. Air masses are slowly pushed along by high-level winds, when an air mass moves over a new region, it shares its temperature and humidity with that region.

How does air mass affect temperature and humidity?

Air masses are slowly pushed along by high-level winds, when an air mass moves over a new region, it shares its temperature and humidity with that region. So the temperature and humidity of a particular location depends partly on the characteristics of the air mass that sits over it.

When does a cold dry air mass form?

They form when a cold dry air mass moves over a warm body of water such as the Great Lakes and heavy snows occur on the downwind side of the lakes. List the temperature and moisture characteristics of each of the major air masses. Which air mass only forms in summer over the south-western United States?