AIR FRONTS Fronts Boundary between two air masses

AIR FRONTS

Fronts: • Boundary between two air masses • Characterized by shift in weather § Cold § Warm § Stationary § Occluded

Fronts and their symbols

5 Characteristics of a Front • Sharp temperature changes over • • a relatively short distance. Changes in air moisture content Shifts in wind direction Pressure changes Clouds and precipitation

Cold Front Hea vy Rain ows l l o f r e l weath Warm Front Both Move east to west o Fair Co lope r. S Steepe ure s s e r p High Slow steady Hot humid w Rain eather Both can bring rain Steeper Slo pe Low Pressu re

5 Characteristics of a Front • Sharp temperature changes over • • a relatively short distance. Changes in air moisture content Shifts in wind direction Pressure changes Clouds and precipitation

Fronts: • Boundary between two air masses • Characterized by shift in weather

Cold Front Moves in this direction Rain/Thunderstorms

Cold Front ü Heavy Rain ü Fair Cool weather follows ü Steeper Slope ü High pressure ü Typically move faster than warm front

Warm Front

Warm Front ü Slow steady Rain ü Hot humid weather ü Steeper Slope ü Low Pressure

Occluded Front

Stationary Front

Stationary Fronts • Temperature – stagnent • Pressure – slightly fluctuates • Clouds – altocumulus • Precipitation – none • Winds – variable and light • Can last for days weeks

Occluded Front

Occluded Fronts • Temperature – • Warm – gets milder • Cold – gets colder • Pressure – • Warm - slight drop • Cold – slight rise • Clouds – cumulus • Precipitation – steady and light • Winds – variable and light

Pressure and Air Movement