The United Kingdom Environmental Change Network

Air Masses

An air mass can be described as 'the air with similar properties of temperature and moisture which covers a large area'.

The weather of the British Isles and surrounding countries is influenced by air masses.

Air masses formed over :-

• a warm land are called Tropical Continental - Tc
• a warm sea are called Tropical Maritime - Tm
• a cold land are called Polar Continental - Pc
• a cold sea are called Polar or Arctic Maritime - Pm or Am

When air masses meet, fronts are formed.

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