Air Masses
KEY TERM ALERT! Air masses are sections of the troposphere that have similar characteristics - similar temperature, air pressure, and humidity.
These develop due to the uneven heating of the Earth and the proximity of the air mass to water. Air located above land will be drier, while air over the oceans contains more water vapor, making it more humid.
Humidity: amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Relative Humidity: amount of moisture in the air, compared to how much it can hold.
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air, so hot air with 60% relative humidity would have more water vapor in the air than cold air at 60% humidity.
These develop due to the uneven heating of the Earth and the proximity of the air mass to water. Air located above land will be drier, while air over the oceans contains more water vapor, making it more humid.
Humidity: amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Relative Humidity: amount of moisture in the air, compared to how much it can hold.
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air, so hot air with 60% relative humidity would have more water vapor in the air than cold air at 60% humidity.