Weather Fronts

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Weather Fronts
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An AIR MASS is

• An air mass is a large body of air that has
  similar temperature and moisture throughout.
• An air mass gets its temperature and moisture
  from the area over which it forms (For example
  any air mass that develops over the Gulf of
  Mexico will be warm and wet because the Gulf of
  Mexico is warm and wet).

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A FRONT is

• Air masses with different temperatures do not
  usually mix
• Therefore, when two different air masses meet, a
  boundary called a front forms between them
• There are four main types of fronts- cold
  fronts- warm fronts- occluded fronts-
  stationary fronts

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Cold front

• Meets and takes over a warm air mass (moves under
  the warm air, pushing it up).
• Cold fronts can move fast, producing
  thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow. Cooler
  weather usually follows a cold front because the
  warm air is pushed away from the Earths surface.

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Warm Front

• Warm air mass meets and overtakes a cold air mass
  (warm air moves over cold air and replaces it).
• Warm fronts generally bring nimbostratus clouds
  and long rains. After the front passes, weather
  conditions are warm and clear.

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Occluded Front

• A faster-moving cold air mass overtakes a
  slower-moving warm air mass and forces the warm
  air up. The cold air keeps moving until it meets
  another cold air mass. Leads to cool
  temperatures and lots of precipitation (rain or
  snow).

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Stationary Front

• A cold air mass meets a warm air mass, but little
  movement occurs.
• Usually clouds and long rains are found.

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Create 4 FRONT Flashcards

• On on side, write the NAME of one of the four
  fronts, and draw a DIAGRAM of it.
• On the other side, write a DESCRIPTION of the
  front in your own words.
• Repeat for a total of 4 cards (4 different
  fronts).