Which air mass is classified as the coldest?

The classification of air masses is based on their temperature and moisture characteristics, derived from the regions they originate from. The coldest air mass is identified as the continental Antarctic air mass. This classification stems from its source region, which is located over the Antarctic continent.

Continental Antarctic air masses are formed over the cold interior of Antarctica, where temperatures can plummet significantly, especially during the winter months. This air mass is characterized not only by its extremely low temperatures but also by its minimal moisture content due to the lack of water bodies in the interior of Antarctica. The air remains dry as it moves away from its source region.

In contrast, the other options, while also cold, do not reach the extreme low temperatures associated with continental Antarctic air. For example, the continental Arctic air mass originates from the Arctic region, which, although cold, is not as severely frigid as Antarctica. Maritime polar and maritime Antarctic air masses, being influenced by their proximity to oceans, tend to be milder and more humid than their continental counterparts, further emphasizing why continental Antarctic air is classified as the coldest.