Air masses are classified based on their and amount of

Air masses get their characteristics based on

The abbreviations used to classify air masses use the following letters: c, m, T, P, and A. For each letter, describe its property: WordMeans c m T P A continentaldry maritimemoist Tropicalwarm Polarcold Arcticvery cold

warm and moistcold and dry

Why would mT be low pressure and cP be high? Because air pressure changes with temperature. Warm air brings low pressure and cold or cool brings high pressure.

The next two slides are maps that give examples of air masses over the land and water. Study these maps and try to understand the pattern.

Test your self! The next slide gives you an opportunity to test your knowledge of air masses. See if you can identify the air masses correctly.

CHECK THIS OUT Next are radar images of two what happens when a cold and a warm air mass meet.

mT air mass warm, moist air Low Pressure Center cP air mass dry, cool air High Pressure Area