Air mass

<p>In <a href="/facts/Meteorology/xblFr28q">meteorology</a>, an air mass is a <a href="/facts/Volume/aeAXCBUd">volume</a> of <a href="/facts/Air/6IyFHIpG">air</a> defined by its <a href="/facts/Temperature/QyGe4gmj">temperature</a> and <a href="/facts/Humidity/Nwb28VlT">humidity</a>. Air masses cover many hundreds or thousands of <a href="/facts/Square_mile/APEmjNTq">square miles</a>, and adapt to the characteristics of the surface below them. They are classified according to <a href="/facts/Latitude/IBYqkjhU">latitude</a> and their continental or maritime source regions. Colder air masses are termed polar or arctic, while warmer air masses are deemed tropical. Continental and superior air masses are dry, while maritime and <a href="/facts/Monsoon/0a2o484v">monsoon</a> air masses are moist. Weather fronts separate air masses with different density (temperature or <a href="/facts/Moisture/vubw4SpX">moisture</a>) characteristics. Once an air mass moves away from its source region, underlying <a href="/facts/Vegetation/nAHr9kjk">vegetation</a> and <a href="/facts/Body_of_water/MoDAUuW4">water bodies</a> can quickly modify its character. Classification schemes tackle an air mass's characteristics, as well as modification.
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Air mass open-in-new

Air mass