Which air mass is cool and dry and originates from continental interiors?

Which air mass is cool and dry and originates from continental interiors?

• A. cT
• B. mT
• C. cP
• D. mP

Answer: (C)

Air masses are defined by where they form and their moisture and temperature characteristics. Continental interiors provide cold, dry conditions due to radiative cooling and lack of moisture sources, so air that forms there becomes cool and dry—classed as continental polar. This explains why a continental polar air mass brings cool, dry air. The other possibilities describe different combinations: continental tropical would be hot and dry from tropical land, maritime tropical would be warm and moist from tropical seas, and maritime polar would be cool and moist from polar seas.

Air masses are defined by where they form and their moisture and temperature characteristics. Continental interiors provide cold, dry conditions due to radiative cooling and lack of moisture sources, so air that forms there becomes cool and dry—classed as continental polar. This explains why a continental polar air mass brings cool, dry air. The other possibilities describe different combinations: continental tropical would be hot and dry from tropical land, maritime tropical would be warm and moist from tropical seas, and maritime polar would be cool and moist from polar seas.