How do scientists classify air masses?
1 Answer
Based on where they form.
Explanation:
Air masses are given 2 classifications. One is based on whether it was formed over land or water, the other based on the latitude.
When an air mass is formed over water it is called maritime. When it is formed over land it is called continental. That is simple enough.
When an air mass is formed over ice or frozen land it is called Arctic (or Antarctic depending on your hemisphere). When it is formed over cold water or land (not ice) it is called Polar. When it is formed around the tropic of Cancer or Capricorn it is called Tropical. If it is formed near the Equator it is Equatorial.
Air masses are notated with a lower case m (maritime) or c (continental) and then an upper case A P T or E>
Finally there are no Maritime Arctic air masses as any water would be ice at those locations, and no Continental Equatorial as that part of the globe is primarily ocean.
