Air Fronts

Fronts: Cold Warm Stationary Occluded 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 Warm Front Both Heavy Rain Fair Cool weather follows Steeper Slope High pressure Move east to west Slow steady Rain Hot humid weather Steeper Slope Low Pressure Both can bring rain

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

Warm Front

Warm Front Slow steady Rain Hot humid weather Steeper Slope 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 – Pressure – Clouds – cumulus 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