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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-maritime-continental-moisture

What do maritime and continental say about an air mass?

Maritime is moist, continental is dry, based on the source surface.

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  1. Its moisture ✔
  2. Its wind speed
  3. Its cloud height

Why: Maritime air forms over water and is moist. Continental air forms over land and is comparatively dry.

Huh, didn't know that: A second label, such as polar or tropical, tells the air mass temperature.

The dad joke
Maritime air packed a towel because it came from the water.
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References

Answer: Its moisture. Maritime air forms over water and is moist. Continental air forms over land and is comparatively dry.

  1. Aerospace Dimensions Module 3, Air Environment akwg.cap.gov/media/cms/Module_3__Air_Environment_D8702BF7F9162_21bba.pdf
    maritime stands for water (high moisture and wet), and continental stands for land (low moisture and dry)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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