Air Mass Definition
Air mass can be defined as a large air volume with uniform temperature and moisture. These masses can stretch thousands of miles horizontally over the Earth’s surface, and vertically from ground level to the stratosphere (10 miles) into the atmosphere.
Categorization of Air Masses
Meteorologists classify air masses based on where they are formed. Here is the classification.
Typically, there are 4 types of air masses
Arctic: These air masses form in the Arctic region and are very cold.
Tropical: These air masses form in low lying latitudes and are warm up to a moderate level.
Polar: These air masses form in the high-latitude region and are cold.
Equatorial: They start forming over the Equator and are warm.
Besides this classification, there is another way to categorise air masses. Meteorologists classify them based on whether they form over water or land. These distinctions are:
Maritime: Maritime ones form over the water bodies and are filled with moisture.
Continental: Whereas, the Continental ones form over the land and are arid.
To learn more about air masses
brainly.com/question/12089291
#SPJ4
