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Name: Kaphersa
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Question:
What are the temperature ranges for warm air masses?

Replies:
Kaphersa,

Sometimes the TV or radio weather person will talk about warm or cold air masses, but the terms warm and cold are relative to what is normal for that time of year. More technically, meteorologists usually speak of high and low pressure systems.

In any case, an "air mass" being talked about is usually a high pressure system, which In mid summer could have a temperature range of 80 to 110 degrees F, whereas in mid winter it might have a temperature range of 40 to 60 degrees F, although, again, this is relative to whatever the normal temperature is for the season and your location.

David R. Cook
Meteorologist
Climate Research Section
Environmental Science Division
Argonne National Laboratory

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