Question

A mass of extremely cold, dry air moves over the ocean. Which type of air mass does it most likely become
-maritime tropical
-maritime polar
-continental arctic
-continental tropical

Answer 1

When a mass of extremely cold, dry air moves over the ocean, it most likely becomes a **maritime polar** air mass.

Here's a brief explanation:

- **Maritime polar (mP)** air masses originate over cold ocean waters and typically contain cool, moist air. Since the air mass is initially very cold and dry, as it moves over the warmer ocean, it can pick up moisture but remains relatively cool.

In contrast:
- **Maritime tropical (mT)** air masses are warm and moist, originating over warm ocean waters.
- **Continental arctic (cA)** air masses are very cold and dry, originating over land in polar regions.
- **Continental tropical (cT)** air masses are warm and dry, originating over warm land regions.

Therefore, the air mass transitioning from cold and dry to potentially moist due to ocean contact aligns with the characteristics of a maritime polar air mass.