Continental Tropical Air Mass

Another type of air mass that we are going to talk about is called Continental Tropical also known as CT. This type of air mass can be best described as having dry and hot conditions. The reason for this is because it forms over the land and also is found in the hot tropical regions. The best place in the United States to find this type of air mass is the Southwest portion of the United States. This type of air is associated with very dry conditions that can prevail for long periods of time. Also because it is tropical in nature, temps can rise well into the 100’s. This type of air mass is most pronounced during the summer months as it’s a warm air mass. In the winter time this air mass is slowly removed and replaced by colder air. This air mass is strong enough that it can extend northward into parts of Colorado in the summer and also expand eastward into portions of Texas and Oklahoma.