What is the hottest air mass found on the planet?

The hottest air mass found on the planet is the Continental Tropical. This air mass originates over hot, dry land areas, primarily in regions like the desert southwest of the United States and parts of northern Mexico. Due to its formation over these arid regions, Continental Tropical air masses absorb significant heat from the ground, resulting in high temperatures.

This air mass is characterized by warm, dry conditions, which can lead to very high surface temperatures, especially during the summer months. The heat from the sun radiates onto the land, causing the air above to heat up significantly—a phenomenon not typically observed in other air masses, which may originate over water or cooler land areas.

In contrast, while the other options list air masses that can also influence temperature, they do not typically achieve the extremes of heat associated with the Continental Tropical. For instance, the Continental Arctic air mass is known for its cold temperatures, and Tropical Maritime air masses, formed over oceans, tend to be warm but are also humid, which impacts their temperature range.