Question

What are the name and characteristics of air masses that form over Canada and move south into the United States? What are the name and characteristics of air masses that form over the Gulf of Mexico and move north into the United States?

Answer 1

• Continental Polar, cold and dry
• Maritime Tropical, warm and moist

Step-by-step explanation:

• Continental Polar air masses are those that originate over Canada and contain very cold air from the polar regions that move south in the winter to affect the continental United States and Mexico. These air masses are cold and dry (Not as cold or dry as Continental Arctic air masses from the North Pole).
• Maritime Tropical air masses form over tropical or subtropical oceans and seas and are warm and very moist with air often being saturated. These air masses affect the southern United States all year, but they are almost a permanent feature during the southern summers. They can reach as far north as the Canadian prairies during this season.