What two types of air collide to form tornadoes?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Tornadoes 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.

Answer 3

Most 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.

Answer 4

In 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.

Answer 5

It 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.

Answer 6

it's a cyclone rotates faster and faster as pressure differences between areas of low and high pressure increase (APEX).

Answer 7

Warm dry air and cool moist air. Check the link for more info on Thunderstorms

Answer 8

Tornadoes 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.

Answer 9

Continental arctic and maritime tropical

Answer 10

Two air masses meat, but neither move into the other one and spiral wind results APEX