Here's why:

* Polar: This indicates the air mass originated at high latitudes, specifically the Arctic region.

* Continental: This means the air mass formed over land, giving it dry characteristics.

Characteristics of a cP air mass:

* Cold and dry: Due to its formation over the frozen Arctic, cP air is very cold and contains minimal moisture.

* Stable: cP air is very stable, meaning it resists vertical movement, making it difficult for clouds and precipitation to form.

* Clear skies: The lack of moisture results in mostly clear and sunny skies.

Impact of cP air masses:

When cP air masses move southward, they can bring significant temperature drops, especially during winter. These air masses can lead to:

* Freezing temperatures: cP air can create extremely cold conditions, even below freezing.

* Snow and ice storms: While cP air is dry, it can bring snow when it interacts with warmer air masses, leading to blizzards and ice storms.

* Clear, sunny days: cP air typically brings stable conditions with clear skies and high pressure.