When mT air moves over the Great Lakes in early summer, what is typically expected?

Study for the ATPL Canadian Meteorology, Radio Aids to Navigation, and Flight Planning (SAMRA) exam. Use multiple-choice questions with explanations. Prepare effectively for your upcoming test!

When maritime tropical (mT) air moves over the Great Lakes in early summer, the warm, humid characteristics of this air mass can lead to the formation of fog and low clouds. The mT air, being rich in moisture, interacts with the cooler waters of the Great Lakes, which often results in temperature differentials that condense moisture in the air, creating fog and overcast conditions.

This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the early summer when the land is heating up faster than the lake waters, causing instability and adding to the process of condensation as the warm, moist air rises and cools over the relatively cooler lake surfaces.

While widespread thunderstorms can occur due to mT air, particularly as summer progresses and conditions intensify with additional heat and moisture, the immediate and typical effect over the lakes is more associated with the formation of fog and low clouds. Clear skies are less likely in this scenario due to the high humidity content, and extreme temperatures are not characteristic of the mT air mass, which tends to be warm but not excessively hot.

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