Air Masses Flashcards
Name the four air masses that the British Isles experiences.
- Polar maritime
- Polar continental
- Tropical maritime
- Tropical continental
Origin of polar maritime
From the north over sea
Temperature of polar maritime in summer
Cool
Temperature of polar maritime in winter
Cold
Moisture characteristics of polar maritime
Wet
Origin of polar continental
From the north over land
Temperature of polar continental in summer
Hot
Temperature of polar continental in winter
Cold
Moisture characteristics of polar continental
Dry
Origin of tropical maritime
From the south over sea
Temperature of tropical maritime in summer
Warm
Temperature of tropical maritime in winter
Mild
Moisture characteristics of tropical maritime
Wet
Origin of tropical continental
From the south over land
Temperature of tropical continental in summer
Hot
Temperature of tropical continental in winter
Mild
Moisture characteristics of tropical continental
Dry
Define the term ‘air mass’
A large body of air which takes on the temperature and moisture characteristics of the area from which it originates
The temperature of a maritime air mass does not change much because…
oceans warm up slowly and hold their heat for a long time
The temperature of a continental air mass differs a lot between summer and winter because…
the centres of continents get very hot in summer and very cold in winter
