Which air mass is considered temperate and forms in temperate zones?

The polar air mass is considered temperate and forms in temperate zones due to the specific characteristics associated with it. This type of air mass originates from regions characterized by colder climates, typically near the poles, where it is influenced by less solar heating. As the polar air mass moves into temperate areas, it interacts with warmer air masses, creating a significant effect on weather patterns, leading to changes such as cooling and precipitation.

Polar air masses are differentiated by their temperature and moisture characteristics: they are typically cold and can bring cold fronts that lead to various weather phenomena, such as snow or rain, when they interact with warmer air. This interaction is vital for weather systems in temperate zones, where wide-reaching climate changes can occur.

In contrast, tropical air masses originate from warmer regions and carry higher moisture content, maritime air masses are characterized by their moisture from oceanic sources, and continental air masses develop over land and can be either warm or cold, but do not specifically originate from the temperate zones.