AIR mass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "AIR mass" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in meteorology to refer to a large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics. Example: "The weather forecast predicts a cold front moving in, bringing a polar air mass that will lower temperatures significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The DT air mass, as expected, is characterized by smaller values for the daily average dew point temperature than the MT air mass, whereas the MT air mass shows higher values of daily average dew point temperature.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Maritime air mass, vast body of air of oceanic origin; also, an air mass that has had a long trajectory over water and has been so modified that it has the characteristics of an air mass of oceanic origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Back trajectories for the DT air mass extend even further back to the west in spring.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

For Asheville (mountain city), however, the DM air mass shows steady occurrence throughout the whole year.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Additionally, the gradient of ΔEPT across the convergence line was significantly large, indicating that a boundary existed between the stable air mass and the unstable air mass.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

See air mass; front.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

During winter, air mass-induced increases in mortality are considerably less than in summer.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Air systems are more on the go in wintertime, and there are frequent air-mass changes".

The New York Times - Science

Instead, it turned north east and collided with the big cold‐air mass.

The New York Times

More than a million people gathered for an open-air Mass on Copacabana Beach on Sunday.

The New York Times

The Pope addressed the 50,000 people gathered at Cofton Park during the open-air Mass.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather patterns, be specific about the type of "air mass" (e.g., maritime, continental, polar) to convey detailed information about its origin and characteristics.

Common error

Avoid vague descriptions; instead of saying "a cold air mass is coming", specify the origin and expected temperature change to provide more accurate and useful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air mass" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific meteorological entity. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing atmospheric conditions. The phrase serves to categorize and discuss large volumes of air with uniform characteristics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "air mass" is a noun phrase primarily used in meteorology to describe large volumes of air with uniform characteristics. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in scientific, encyclopedia and news contexts. Related terms include "air parcel", "body of air", and "weather system", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using the phrase "air mass", it is best practice to specify its type for clarity. Avoid vague descriptions and instead, provide specific details about its origin and expected impact. While the frequency is uncommon, "air mass" is indispensable for clear and precise communication about weather and climate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maritime air mass

More specific type of "air mass", specifying its origin over water.

continental air mass

More specific type of "air mass", specifying its origin over land.

polar air mass

More specific type of "air mass", specifying its origin in polar regions.

body of air

A simple, less technical way to describe an "air mass", focusing on its physical presence.

air parcel

Refers to a smaller, more localized volume of air, as opposed to the larger scale of an "air mass".

atmospheric volume

A more general term for a quantity of air in the atmosphere, not necessarily uniform.

mass of atmosphere

Highlights the atmospheric composition, emphasizing the weight and presence of the air.

weather system

Focuses on the overall weather pattern rather than the specific characteristics of the air.

air current

Emphasizes the movement of the air, whereas "air mass" focuses on its properties.

atmospheric condition

Describes the state of the atmosphere, which includes but is not limited to "air mass" characteristics.

FAQs

How is an "air mass" different from an air parcel?

While both terms relate to quantities of air, an "air mass" refers to a large body of air with relatively uniform temperature and humidity, whereas an "air parcel" is a smaller, more theoretical volume often used in atmospheric modeling.

What are the different types of "air mass"?

Common types include polar, tropical, maritime, and continental, each characterized by its source region and moisture content. For example, a "maritime air mass" originates over water and is typically moist.

How does an "air mass" affect weather patterns?

The movement and interaction of different "air mass" types can lead to various weather phenomena. For instance, the collision of a cold, dry "air mass" with a warm, moist one can cause storms.

What can I say instead of "air mass"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "body of air" or "weather system", although these may not always capture the specific meteorological meaning.