What type of air mass is typically found over deserts?

The type of air mass typically found over deserts is continental tropical. This classification refers to air masses that originate over land in warm regions, leading to characteristics such as high temperatures and low humidity. Deserts, by their nature, experience significant temperatures during the day and very little moisture due to their geographic and climatic conditions.

Continental tropical air masses form when air heats up over land. They develop over hot, dry regions, which include deserts, and are characterized by warm temperatures and limited water vapor. This lack of humidity contributes to the arid conditions commonly associated with desert environments.

Other types of air masses, such as maritime tropical, are associated with moisture and originate over warm ocean waters, thus creating humid conditions unsuitable for deserts. Continental polar air masses are cold and dry, coming from high latitudes, but they do not contribute to the warm, dry conditions typical of deserts. Continental Antarctic air masses are extremely cold and associated with polar regions, also making them unsuitable for arid environments.

Therefore, continental tropical is the air mass type that accurately describes the atmospheric characteristics found over deserts.