Water and Air Masses Air mass classification involves three letters. The first letter describes its moisture properties: continental air masses (c) and maritime air masses (m). The second letter is its source region: tropical (T), polar (P), arctic or Antarctic (A), monsoon (M), Equatorial (E), and superior (S) air. For instance, an air mass originating over the desert southwest of the United States in summer may be designated "cT"and an air mass originating over northern Siberia in winter may be indicated as "cA." The stability of an air mass may be shown using a third letter, either "k" (air mass colder than the surface below it) or "w" (air mass warmer than the surface below it). In meteorology, an air mass is a volume of air defined by its temperature and water vapor content. Air masses cover many hundreds or thousands of miles, and adapt to the characteristics of the surface below them. Which statement CORRECTLY describes air masses? (1 point) Responses Tropical air masses form closer to the equator where the air is warm. Tropical air masses form closer to the equator where the air is warm. Maritime air masses form over land and dry out as they lose water vapor to the water below it. Maritime air masses form over land and dry out as they lose water vapor to the water below it. Continental air masses form over water and are full of moisture as they travel across the land below. Continental air masses form over water and are full of moisture as they travel across the land below. Polar air masses form far from the poles where the air is cold.
