What is the primary characteristic of Continental Antarctic air mass?

The primary characteristic of the Continental Antarctic air mass is that it is cold and dry. This air mass originates over the vast continental areas of Antarctica, which are characterized by extreme cold temperatures and low humidity levels. The air mass forms in a region that experiences very little moisture due to the surrounding cold ocean currents and the continental conditions.

As this air mass moves, it retains its cold temperatures because it does not pick up significant amounts of moisture. This results in relatively low humidity cases, making it predominantly dry. Therefore, when considering the characteristics of different air masses, the cold and dry nature of the Continental Antarctic air mass is a defining trait that influences weather patterns in regions where it might move and interact with other air masses, particularly in the southern hemisphere.