The gas shell of the planet, called the atmosphere, plays a key role in the formation of ecological systems and the creation of climatic conditions. It also performs a very important protective function, protecting the Earth from the effects of various solar radiation and from attacks of small cosmic bodies that simply burn in its dense layers, not reaching the surface. The atmosphere is a very dynamic and heterogeneous gas structure. Large air masses forming in its depths have a direct and decisive influence on the climatic regime of both individual regions of the globe and the entire planet.
The huge volumes of air formed in the tropospheric layers (lower part of the atmosphere) are quite comparable in size to continents or oceans. These colossal formations are the cradle of powerful cyclones, a tornado of tremendous destructive power and tornadoes. The movement of air masses from one region of the globe to another determines the climatic regime and weather conditions in these territories. And often they carry natural disasters.
Each such gigantic mass of air, which has the same properties (degree of transparency, temperature, humidity level, dust content and other foreign inclusions), acquires the qualities and features of the region over which it was formed. Moving towards other regions, air masses not only change their weather conditions, but also gradually transform themselves, acquiring climatic features that are characteristic of these areas.
A vivid illustration of such a dynamic atmosphere can serve as the air masses of Russia, which, during their circulation in the vast expanses of the country through several climatic zones, manage to repeatedly completely change their properties. Over half of Russian territory is influenced by air masses formed over the Atlantic. They bring the bulk of precipitation to the European part of the country, and in Siberian regions, warm Mediterranean cyclones greatly soften winter colds.
In the complex process of universal atmospheric circulation, air masses of various types have a clear and close relationship. So, air masses formed over cold parts of the earth's surface, colliding with warmer fronts, mix with them and, thereby, form a new atmospheric front with completely different characteristics. This effect is especially pronounced in the temperate climatic zone when cold Arctic air invades it.
Mixed with the warm Atlantic atmospheric fronts, they form new air masses that, besides cooling, carry cumulus clouds and erupt in heavy rain showers. Sometimes such cold atmospheric fronts, passing through the territory of Russia and not meeting with warm air masses, reach the southern regions of the European continent. But in most cases they are still delayed by the spurs of the Alpine mountains.
But in Asia, often there is free movement of arctic air in vast territories right up to the mountain ranges of southern Siberia. What accounts for the rather cold climate in these regions.