Download Fronts and Clouds

Fronts and Clouds
I can predict the cloud type that will
results from various types of fronts.
Cold Front
• Cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass
• Move very quickly because cold air is very dense
• Associated with cumulus & cumulonimbus clouds
ahead of the front in the warm air, producing heavy
showers and thunderstorms.
• Fast, gusty winds
• Areas of low pressure
• Followed by cooler temperatures
Cold Front
• Simple 3-D idea:
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7r.html
Cold Front
http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/images/cold-front.gif
Warm Front
• A warm front overtakes a cold front
• Generally associated with stratus type clouds
that are high in the atmosphere
• Clear weather at first, but rain and
thunderstorms may follow
• Warm fronts have higher air pressure but are
followed by warmer temperatures
Warm Front
• Simple 3-D idea:
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7r.html
Warm Front
http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/images/warm-front.gif
Stationary Front
• Blue triangles point toward warm air
• Red circles point toward cold air
• Warm front and cold front meet, and neither overpowers
the other
• Marked by longer periods of rain, snow, or other
precipitation
• Wind often blows parallel to front rather than against it
• Often occur in low pressure areas
Occluded Front
• Two cold air masses overtake one warm air
mass, pushing it up in between them
• Usually form in low pressure areas
• Cause extreme weather including a lot of
precipitation and bring cumulonimbus or
nimbostratus clouds
• Wind often changes directions
Occluded Front
• Simple 3-D idea:
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7r.html
Occluded Front
http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/images/occluded-front.gif