This document defines and describes the different types of air masses. It begins by introducing air masses and how they determine regional climates. It then defines air masses as large bodies of air with consistent temperature and humidity properties. The document outlines six primary types of global air masses that are categorized based on their source region over land or water and whether that region is arctic, polar, tropical, or equatorial. Each air mass type is described in terms of its characteristic weather patterns. In conclusion, the document emphasizes the crucial role air masses play in forming regional weather and climate patterns around the world.

1. AIR MASSES
Sourav kumar Sahu
Presented by

2. Introduction
Definition
Types of Air masses
Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION :-
The climate of any region in the world is largely
determined by observing the characteristics of the
air mass that occupies it.
Weather can cause short term atmospheric changes
but the stable air mass determined the prevailing
weather condition of vast territory.
When two air masses that do not have the same
properties meet, they do not mix. Instead, a
boundary forms that is called FRONT.

4. DEFINITION :-
Air mass is the meteorological term for a
volume of air with a constant temperature and
humidity covering an area.
It varies in size from hundreds to thousands of
miles.
The region over which an air mass forms is
called a source region. This region can be a
land surface or body of water.

5. SOURCE REGION

6. TYPES OF AIR MASSES :-
According to Bergeron classification system the
classification air masses first takes place according to
the source regions from where they originate.
There are four central regions classified according to
their latitude :-
1. Arctic/Antarctic Air mass
2. Polar Air mass
3. Tropical Air mass
4. Equatorial Air mass

7. The amount of moisture in an air mass also plays a
significant role in forming its characteristics , which is
primarily the result of the type of surface over which it
occurs.
There are two types of surfaces have the most significant
influence on moisture levels :-
1. Continental
2. Maritime

8. Six primary types of global Air masses covering the
planet emerge when you combine the source region with
the kind of surface underlying on air mass :-
1. Continental Arctic (cA)/Continental Antarctic(cAA)
2. Continental Polar(cP)
3. Maritime Polar(mP)
4. Continental Tropical(cT)
5. Maritime Tropical(mT)
6. Maritime Equatorial(mE)

9. (GLOBALAIR MASSES)

10. 1. Continental ARCTIC (cA)/CONTINENTALANTARCTIC (cAA) :-
The continental arctic (cA) air mass develops over the ice-
covered regions of the North pole and Greenland.
It mainly takes place over the ice and snow.
This air mass only takes place during the winter when solar
radiation during the day is almost non existent.
The icy condition , combined with a lack of moisture ,
creates very cold and dry atmospheric condition.

11. CONTINENTAL ARCTIC (cA)

12. 2. CONTINENTAL POLAR (cP) :-
The continental polar (cP) Air mass develop over the land
masses of subpolar regions.
They primarily affect areas at high latitude like Canada , the
Northern USA , as well as Northern Asia.
It characterized by cold , dry weather with little cloud cover
and precipitation , especially during the winter.
It can provide a pleasant reprieve from warm weather
during the summer months.

13. CONTINENTAL POLAR (cP)

14. 3. MARITIME POLAR (MP) :-
Maritime polar (mP) Air masses form over the
freezing North Atlantic and Pacific oceans near the
Arctic.
It characterized by cold , moist and unstable weather.
When it originates directly over the water , then air
mass can influence adjacent coastlines.
In the winter , they bring heavy snow and cold

15. MARITIME POLAR (mP)

16. Continental tropical Air masses form approximately 25
degree North and South of the Equator over the dry ,
mostly arid regions of the world.
It mainly occur over deserts , including the Sahara , the
desert of Mexico & the Arab peninsula.
It characterized by hot & dry weather conditions , with
clear skies , hot , low humidity.
Occurs in the summer , rarely in winter.
4. CONTINENTAL TROPICAL(CP) :-

17. CONTINENTAL TROPICAL (cT)

18. 5. MARITIME TROPICAL(MT) :-
Maritime tropical (mT) Air masses mainly occur over the
warm oceans of the tropics and subtropical regions.
They covers vast areas of the South Atlantic , Indian & South
pacific oceans.
It characterized by very hot & humid weather condition.
Responsible for hot , humid summer days across the South &
the East , it also responsible for the majority of the country’s
Thunderstorms.

19. MARITIME TROPICAL (mT)

20. 6. MARITIME EQUATORIAL(ME) :-
Air masses at or near the Equator primarily form over
water , and as a result , are all referred to as Maritime
Equatorial Air masses.
The small portion of the land that it covers consist
mostly of rainforests and not exposed dry land.
It characterized by hot & very humid weather
condition.
It causes high volumes of rainfall throughout the year.

21. MARITIME EQUATORIAL (mE)
(RAINFORESTS)

22. NORTH AMERICAN AIR MASSES

24. CONCLUSION:-
This article clearly illustrated the importance of
the world’s air masses.
They play a crucial role in the formation of the
weather and climate patterns that we attribute to
different regions and countries through out the
year.

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