Chapter 17: Air Masses

Question 1

Air Mass

2 characteristics? Where formed?

Answer 1

T: equatorial, tropical, polar, artic
hum: maritime, continental
Formed in high P zones (typically), stable

Question 2

Air Mass Modification

Types (2), summer vs winter conditions

Answer 2

Warm to cold -> stable

summer: SKC, haze, light winds, reduced vis
winter: stratiform, DZ. FG

Cold to warm -> unstable

summer: Cumuliform, TS, SHRA
winter: snow

Question 3

Continental Air Masses (2)

Source, stability, period?

Answer 3

Tropical Continental (S+W) - N Africa, stable
Polar Continental (W) - Siberia travels over ocean, unstable (along ocean), stable (along EU)

Question 4

Maritime Air Masses (4)

Source, stability, period?

Answer 4

Maritime Tropical (S+W) - Azores, stable
Maritime Polar (S+W) - Greenland, Canada, unstable (worse winter, canada colder, UK warmer with TM)
Maritim Polar Return (S+W) - Greenland, Canada, stable (goes around Depression, warms up and cools in UK)
Maritime Artic (W) - Ice Cap, unstable