What are the two characteristics used to describe air masses?

Air masses are large bodies of air that have relatively uniform temperature and humidity characteristics over a specific region. The two primary characteristics that describe an air mass are humidity and temperature.

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. Air masses that originate over oceans tend to have high moisture content, while those that form over land are usually drier. Temperature, on the other hand, relates to how warm or cold the air mass is, which is influenced by its source region—whether it comes from polar regions, which are typically cold, or tropical areas, which are warmer.

In meteorology, understanding these characteristics is crucial for predicting weather patterns, as different air masses interact and move, leading to various types of weather phenomena. This interplay of humidity and temperature helps meteorologists assess and forecast conditions such as storms, clear skies, and temperature changes.