Air mass: Quick Facts

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World map showing the principal global air masses, each outlined and labeled with abbreviations. Continental Arctic (cA) and continental Antarctic (cAA) air masses are shown over the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Continental polar (cP), maritime polar (mP), continental tropical (cT), maritime tropical (mT), and maritime equatorial (mE) air masses are depicted over relevant continents and oceans, illustrating their typical zones of origin and influence.

Explore what happens when cold and warm air masses collide

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Topics

Front equatorial air mass Arctic air mass polar Pacific air mass tropical air mass Maritime air mass Continental air mass Polar air mass stationary front occluded front Atmospheric pressure Weather forecasting weather modification 16 Questions About Earth’s Atmosphere and Weather Answered Fog Humidity Cloud Frost Temperature inversion Dew

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Vilhelm Bjerknes

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