answersLogoWhite

0

The terminology here is a bit confused. In weather there are 4 basic types of large-scale air mass: Continental polar air masses come off the land in cold regions and are cool and dry. Maritime polar masses come off the ocean and are cool and somewhat moist. Continental tropical air masses come of the land from warm regions and are warm and dry. Finally maritime tropical masses come off of warm oceans and are warm and moist.

When a continental polar air mass pushes into a maritime tropical air mass it forms a cold front. Since cold air is denser than warm air, the tropical air mass is forced upwards. This can trigger thunderstorms. Under the right conditions these storms can produce tornadoes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

If both continental Polar and continental Tropical air masses meet does it cause a tornado?

No. If conteinental tropical and continental polar air masses meet, they will form a front. Storm activity would be limited due to the relative lack of moisture. If a continental polar and maritime tropical air mass meet, then thunderstorms are possible. The collision of air masses does not directly result in the formation of tornadoes. Instead, the collisions result in thunderstorms which, if a few other conditions are right, may go on to produce tornadoes.


Can tornadoes form around the world?

Just about. Tornadoes can occur almost anywhere apart from polar regions and extreme desert.


Why cant the continental US have to tornadoes?

The continental United States can and does have tornadoes. It has more tornadoes than anywhere else.


Where does a continental polar air masses form?

A continental polar air mass forms over land in northern Canada. A continental polar air mass forms inland from the oceans of Northern Russia, Siberia and Northern Canada.


Where continental polar air masses form?

over northern Canada and Alaska


What is an air mass that forms over dry land?

Continental air masses. Tropical air masses form over water.


What are four types of air masses that affected the US?

Four types of air masses that can affect the United States are continental polar (cP), maritime polar (mP), continental tropical (cT), and maritime tropical (mT). These air masses vary in temperature and moisture content, influencing the weather patterns when they move across the region.


What continental state has the fewest tornadoes?

Antarctica is not believed to get tornadoes at all.


What type of air mass would for over central russia?

A continental polar air mass would typically form over Central Russia. This air mass is characterized by cold and dry conditions that originate from the polar regions.


How are continental tropical and continental polar masses alike and how are they different?

the continental tropical and continental polar air masses both come from land, are humid and their differences are polar is cool air while tropical is warm air


How are continental tropical and continental polar air masses and how are they different?

the continental tropical and continental polar air masses both come from land, are humid and their differences are polar is cool air while tropical is warm air


What are the 4 types of Air Mass?

maritime polar, maritime tropical, continental polar, and continental tropical