Study for the METRO (Meteorology) – VT-10 Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam today!

Multiple Choice

Which air mass commonly originates over hot, dry desert regions?

Air masses are classified by where they form (land vs ocean) and their temperature and moisture. Hot, dry desert regions heat the air at the surface and little moisture is added, so the air that forms there is warm and very dry. Since it forms over land in the tropical latitudes, this is a continental tropical air mass. It contrasts with maritime tropical (over warm oceans, warm and moist), maritime polar (over cold oceans, cool and moist), and continental polar (over polar lands, cold and dry). Therefore, the air mass from hot deserts is continental tropical.

Air masses are classified by where they form (land vs ocean) and their temperature and moisture. Hot, dry desert regions heat the air at the surface and little moisture is added, so the air that forms there is warm and very dry. Since it forms over land in the tropical latitudes, this is a continental tropical air mass. It contrasts with maritime tropical (over warm oceans, warm and moist), maritime polar (over cold oceans, cool and moist), and continental polar (over polar lands, cold and dry). Therefore, the air mass from hot deserts is continental tropical.