GEOG 2006 Lecture 3: Geog ch 3
7 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
In order to understand the weather and climate of the prairie provinces, we will examine the following climate variables: air masses temperature precipitation weather hazards. An air mass is a large body of air with similar characteristics (temperature, humidity and lapse rates) throughout. These air masses cover thousands of square kilometres and are important in uences on temperature and precipitation in an area. Air mass characteristics are determined by the characteristics of the surfaces they form over. Air masses that form over ocean surfaces are moist and are classi ed as maritime. (m) Air masses that form over land surfaces are drier and classed as continental. (c) Air masses that form over equatorial (e) and tropical (t) areas are very warm. Air masses that form over polar (p) and arctic (a) regions are cool and cold. Use the above letter designations (highlighted in green above) to help you understand the following explanation of summer and winter climate on the prairies:
