Final answer:
Air masses are classified based on their source regions and temperature, where maritime and continental denote the region and polar or tropical indicate temperature. These characteristics affect weather and are used by meteorologists for predicting weather changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Classifications of Air Masses
Air masses are large bodies of air that have homogeneous characteristics of temperature and humidity. The classification of air masses is based on two main criteria: the region where they form (source region) and their temperature. Source regions are usually classified into one of two categories: maritime (over the ocean) and continental (over land). Based on their temperature, air masses are classified as polar (cold) or tropical (warm), with further distinctions such as Arctic or equatorial describing even colder or warmer conditions, respectively.
The characteristics of an air mass are affected by the surface over which it forms. For instance, air masses that form over water (maritime) are likely to be more humid than those that form over land (continental). Likewise, air masses that originate in the polar regions will be colder than those that originate in the tropics. These differences in temperature and humidity significantly influence weather patterns, as the interaction between different air masses can lead to a variety of weather phenomena.
Meteorologists use weather maps to track these air masses and predict weather changes. High (H) and low (L) pressure systems depicted on these maps can indicate the movement and interaction of different air masses. For example, the colliding of a cold polar air mass with a warm tropical one can lead to storm systems. The movement of air masses and their interaction with geographic features such as mountain ranges and ocean currents also influence regional climate.