An air mass is a large volume of air defined by its temperature and water vapour content. The geographical region and the specific conditions of the region where an air mass forms influence its characteristics significantly. Understanding the formation and classification of air masses is pivotal in meteorology, offering insights into weather patterns and climatic conditions.

Process of Air Mass Formation

• Source Region: Air masses form in large, stable regions known as source regions. A case in point is the Arctic region where continental polar air masses develop, characterized by their cold and dry properties due to the extreme conditions prevailing in this polar region.
• Temperature and Humidity: The specific climate of the source region moulds the temperature and humidity level of an air mass. The maritime tropical air masses, which develop over the Caribbean sea, for instance, are generally hot and carry high moisture content.
• Stability and Duration: They acquire characteristics of their source region over an extended period. Eg: the maritime air masses influencing the South Asian monsoons stabilize over the Indian Ocean for several days, absorbing moisture before moving towards the Indian subcontinent.
• High-Pressure Systems: These systems, especially in polar and subtropical regions, facilitate the birth of air masses. The Siberian High, a high-pressure system during winter, fosters very cold and dry air masses which influence a large part of the Asian continent.
• Seasonal Variations: Seasons play a pivotal role; like, the continental air masses from Canada are distinctly colder and drier during winter, contrasting sharply with their warmer and slightly more humid nature in summer, affecting the North American weather patterns accordingly.
• Solar Radiation: It has a direct bearing on an air mass’s temperature. Equatorial regions, receiving high solar radiation all year round, give birth to warm and humid air masses, which significantly impact the tropical climate, making it hot and wet most of the year.
• Topography: The geographical layout of a region, including features like mountains, influence the forming air masses. Eg: the air masses developing over the Rockies are distinctively dry due to the shadow effect and vary considerably in temperature due to the changing elevations.
• Wind and Convergence Zones: Wind patterns aid air mass formation, especially in areas where different air masses converge, such as the ITCZ where the meeting of trade winds fosters the development of warm, humid air masses, significantly influencing the tropical weather conditions.

General Classification of Air Masses

• Maritime Tropical (mT): They are known for their warm and humid characteristics, originating from tropical oceanic areas. Eg: the air masses generated over the Gulf of Mexico, which play a significant role in shaping the weather of southeastern regions of the USA.
• Continental Tropical (cT): They are warm yet dry, forming over desert areas like the Sahara Desert. These masses greatly influence North African weather, rendering it extremely dry and hot. The hot and dry winds can sometimes carry desert dust over long distances
• Maritime Polar (mP) : Cold and humid, these air masses are conceived over cold ocean waters in regions like the North Atlantic. They influence Western European climates, bringing cold and moist weather patterns, and are largely responsible for the unpredictable weather in the UK.
• Continental Polar (cP): Forming over land areas in polar regions, these cold and dry air masses often originate in Siberia during the winter season. They influence the cold weather patterns in East Asia, with temperatures plunging significantly during winter.
• Continental Arctic (cA): These air masses, born in Arctic regions, are recognized for extremely low temperatures. Their incursion into North America, especially Canada, results in frigid conditions, dictating a harsh winter season characterized by substantially low temperatures.

Understanding these classifications helps in predicting weather phenomena, aiding meteorologists in forecasting weather patterns accurately and understanding climate dynamics at various geographical locations. It forms the crux of weather prediction science, offering insights into how different regions experience diverse weather patterns.