Meteorology · Air Masses — Classification
An air mass labeled 'mP' (maritime polar) would typically be:
- ACool and moist, having formed over a cold ocean at high latitude✓ Correct
- BHot and dry from a desert source
- CWarm and moist from the tropics over land
- DCold and dry from a continental interior
Explanation
Air masses are named for source region: the first letter is moisture (maritime/continental), the second is temperature (tropical/polar/arctic). Maritime polar (mP) air forms over cold high-latitude oceans — cool and moist, often bringing showers and instability to coasts.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), air masses; WMO
Practice the full Meteorology bank
Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.
Related Meteorology questions
- Atmosphere & Pressure
Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
One millibar (mb) is equal to:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
A barometer that is falling rapidly most likely indicates:
- Atmosphere & Pressure
On a surface weather chart, isobars spaced very close together indicate:
- Wind
By convention, a wind is named for:
- Wind
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect deflects moving air: