Characteristics of air masses

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Tropical Continental
The air mass originates over North Africa and the Sahara (a warm source region). It is most common during the summer months June, July and August, although it can occur at other times of the year.
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Tropical Maritime
The source region for this air mass is warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean between the Azores and Bermuda. The predominant wind direction across the British Isles, in a tropical maritime air mass, is south-westerly.
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Polar Continental
This air mass has its origins over the snow fields of Eastern Europe and Russia and is only considered a winter (November to April) phenomena.
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Polar Maritime
This air mass has its origins over northern Canada and Greenland and reaches the British Isles on a north-westerly air stream. Polar maritime is the most common air mass to affect the British Isles.
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Arctic Maritime
An arctic maritime air mass has similar characteristics to a polar maritime air mass, but because of the shorter sea track the air is colder and less moist.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The source region for this air mass is warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean between the Azores and Bermuda. The predominant wind direction across the British Isles, in a tropical maritime air mass, is south-westerly.

Back

Tropical Maritime

Card 3

Front

This air mass has its origins over the snow fields of Eastern Europe and Russia and is only considered a winter (November to April) phenomena.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

This air mass has its origins over northern Canada and Greenland and reaches the British Isles on a north-westerly air stream. Polar maritime is the most common air mass to affect the British Isles.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

An arctic maritime air mass has similar characteristics to a polar maritime air mass, but because of the shorter sea track the air is colder and less moist.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5

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