Which type of air mass forms over the Caribbean Sea?

Which type of air mass forms over the Caribbean Sea?

• A. Maritime Tropical
• B. Continental Polar
• C. Maritime Polar
• D. Continental Tropical

Answer: (A)

Air masses take on the temperature and moisture of the surface they form over. The Caribbean Sea is a warm tropical body of water, so air that sits over it becomes warm and very humid. This combination is what scientists call a maritime tropical air mass. Maritime means it’s over water, and tropical means it’s warm, so maritime tropical is the type that forms there. Other air masses come from different surfaces or regions—over land and in colder or drier areas—so they don’t form over the Caribbean.

Air masses take on the temperature and moisture of the surface they form over. The Caribbean Sea is a warm tropical body of water, so air that sits over it becomes warm and very humid. This combination is what scientists call a maritime tropical air mass. Maritime means it’s over water, and tropical means it’s warm, so maritime tropical is the type that forms there. Other air masses come from different surfaces or regions—over land and in colder or drier areas—so they don’t form over the Caribbean.