What air masses affect Europe?
Refer to figure.
Air masses are classified using three letters, each describing a different characteristic of the air mass.
Possible options:
(1) Moisture characteristics (surface type over which the air mass formed):
- Maritime (m)
- Continental (c)
(2) Source region or type:
- Arctic (A)
- Equatorial (E)
- Tropical (T)
- Polar (P)
(3) Temperature of the air mass, relative to the surface over which it moves:
- Warm (w)
- Cold (c)
Europe is influenced by several different air masses depending on the season and the prevailing weather pattern. The main air-mass source regions affecting Europe are:
- Arctic → very cold air originating from the Arctic regions.
- Polar → cold air originating from higher latitudes.
- Tropical → warm air originating from lower latitudes.
| AIR MASS | SOURCE | CHARACTERISTICS |
| Arctic maritime, mAc | Polar ice cap. Only experienced during NH winter Affects Northern Europe (winter) | stable very cold and dry. |
| Polar maritime, mPc | Northwest area of North Atlantic Affects western Europe Affects Northern Europe | stable, cold, absolute humidity low, relative humidity high |
| Polar continental, CPC | Siberia (winter only) northern Russia Affects Baltics/Eastern Europe/Baltic coast of Germany (winter) | Stable, very cold and dry. |
| Tropical maritime, mTw | The Azores anticyclone Affects western Europe Affects southern Europe | Warm, stable, absolute humidity high, RH high. |
| Tropical continental, cTw | N Africa/Middle East/SE Europe (SE Europe – primarily conterminous Balkan Peninsula) Affects eastern Europe | warm, dry, stable. |
Europe is never affected by Equatorial air masses.
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This question has appeared on the real examination, you can find the related countries below.
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Austro Control8
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France7
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Spain3
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Germany2
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Greece2
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Belgium1
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Italy1
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Malta1
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Romania1
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Slovenia1
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