Not necessarily. Tornadoes are not a direct result of collisions of air masses but they can result as part of the overall pattern. When two different air masses meet the result is something called a front. The kind of weather that results depends on the kinds of air masses involved and how they move. When a cooler air mass retreats and a warmer one advances it is called a warm front. These can result in rain or snow showers* and can occasionally produce thunderstorms. Thunderstorms along warm fronts are not usually severe so you generally won't find tornadoes. When a cooler air mass pushes into a warmer one* it is called a cold front. If there is enough moisture a cold front can result in heavy snow or rain and often results in thunderstorms in the warmer months. These thunderstorms can become severe and produce tornadoes. A significant portion of tornadoes are associated with cold fronts. If a dry air mass pushes into a moist air mass the result is a dry line. A dry line is the type of front most conducive tot he formation of supercells, the type of thunderstorm most likely to produce tornadoes.
*Note that warmer and colder are relative terms in this case. The air masses don't need to be warm and cold, just that one is cooler than the other. e.g. one can be cold and the other very cold (this will not lead to tornadoes) or one can be hot and the other mild.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWiki User
∙ 11y agoTornadoes are most commonly found along cold fronts, which involve a cold air mass pushing into a warm air mass. However, not all tornadoes form along cold fronts and not all cold fronts result in tornadoes.
The factors in producing tornadoes are far more complex than simple air mass collisions. See the related question for more information.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoMost often tornadoes are associate with cold fronts, which involve a cool air mass colliding with a warm, moist air mass. However, tornadoes can also form along a dry line, where a dry air mass collides with a warm, moist air mass.
It should be noted that the collision of air masses is not a direct cause of tornadoes. The collision produces thunderstorms, but other conditions are needed for those storms to produce tornadoes.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIn the oversimplified scenario that is commonly presented, tornadoes occur when a cool air mass from Canada meets a warm, moist air mass from the Gulf of Mexico. These air masses meet along a cold front, as the cooler air mass advances.
However, in many tornado outbreaks there are three major air masses; the two already mentioned and a dry air mass from the Rockies. This meets the warm, moist air mass along a dry line. In some cases a tornado outbreak may occur along a dry line without a cold front playing a major role.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIt is commonly stated that tornadoes form as a result of cool dry air colliding with warm moist air. This is an oversimplification. The collision produces the thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes rather than the tornadoes themselves. This means that this particular type of collision is not strictly necessary for tornadoes to form. Tornadoes may also form from a collision of warm, moist with warm, dry air, or a collision of all three. In some cases, no collision at all is needed.
MrMister
it's a cyclone rotates faster and faster as pressure differences between areas of low and high pressure increase (APEX).
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoWarm dry air and cool moist air. Check the link for more info on Thunderstorms
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoTornadoes form from severe thunderstorms which most often occur when a cool and/or dry air mass pushes into a warm, moist air mass. Though such as collision is not absolutely necessary.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoContinental arctic and maritime tropical
Anonymous
Two air masses meat, but neither move into the other one and spiral wind results APEX
Guam has been the site of tornadoes before. Tornadoes can form anywhere cold and warm air collide, causing an imbalance in air pressure.
when two air masses collide it will produce weather changes such as wind, clouds, rain , snow, or tornadoes
In this oversimplified scenario, the cold dry air meets warm, moist air. However, this is not quite the case. The collision of these two air masses is not what directly causes tornadoes. Rather, this collison produces thunderstorms, which can in turn produce tornadoes. Such a collision is not always necessary for tornadoes to form either.
The two types of air that combined are hot/warm and humid air.
Unequal heating leads to air masses of different temperatures. When a cool air mass collides with a warm, moist air mass thunderstorms often form. Under the right conditions these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.
Guam has been the site of tornadoes before. Tornadoes can form anywhere cold and warm air collide, causing an imbalance in air pressure.
Tornadoes and tsunamis are two very different types of weather events. Tornadoes form when two air masses collide. Tsunamis are caused by movement along the ocean floor.
when two air masses collide it will produce weather changes such as wind, clouds, rain , snow, or tornadoes
Tornadoes most often form where cool dry air and warm moist air collide. This does not directly produce tornadoes but rather produces the thunderstorms that, given a few other factors, can sometimes produce tornadoes. Additionally, such a meeting of air masses is not absolutely necessary for tornadoes to form.
Tornadoes often form when a cool air mass and a dry air mass collide with a warm, moist air mass. This collision produces strong thunderstorms. Under the right conditions these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.
Tornadoes often, though not always, form along weather fronts, where air masses of differing characteristics collide. The fronts that most commonly produce tornadoes are cold fronts and dry lines.
The common statement is that tornadoes develp when warm and cold air collide, but this grossly oversimplifies what is going on. The collision of warm and cold air masses is not the direct cause of tornadoes nor, is it completely necessary. If there is enough instability in the warm air mass, the collision can lead to the formation of thunderstorms. If a few other conditions are right these storms might go on to produce tornadoes. However such storms may also form wheredry air pushes into moist air. They can sometimes even form from convective storm systems without any colliding air masses.
when two air masses collide it will produce weather changes such as wind, clouds, rain , snow, or tornadoes
The warm and the cold air collide violently with each other
They form mainly between those months in the Midwest because warm air from the gulf of Mexico and cold air from the rocky mountains collide in the Midwest. This is one of the main ingredients for the formation of tornadoes. However they do form other ways which I will not get into.
when two air masses collide it will produce weather changes such as wind, clouds, rain , snow, or tornadoes
when a warm and cold air come in as a contact it is like cold air is heavier than warm air so it sinks forcing lighter warm air to rise