A maritime air mass is a large body of air that forms over oceans or large bodies of water. These air masses are characterized by their high humidity and relatively mild temperatures. Because they originate over water, they can bring moisture to the regions they move into, often resulting in precipitation. Maritime air masses are classified into two main types: maritime tropical (mT) and maritime polar (mP). The maritime tropical air mass is warm and humid, typically affecting regions in the tropics and subtropics. In contrast, the maritime polar air mass is cooler and can bring damp, chilly conditions to coastal areas, especially in the higher latitudes.