Fronts

Fronts
A basic understanding of some simple traits can be valuable
in understanding weather and how it works. In this
presentation I will overview the basics of frontal
passages, the differences between them, and what you
can expect from the different types. In the line of work
I am perusing frontal passages are an event that
pertains directly to my safety and go no go criteria. The
understanding of them is crucial.
Fronts can pertain directly towards anyone, the following
are some general affects they have on your every day
life. Fronts directly affect the stability of the outside,
weather or not you have clear or dirty air. They can
cause extended storm patterns that can last from days
to weeks. The temperature can change dramatically,
along with wind as a front passes by. Having a general
knowledge can be beneficial when dealing with the
elements.

Before we go into front trends and their

characteristics we will overview a few key
ingredients For their formation

Everything weather is caused by the difference in

two basic variables, temperature and moisture.

Warm air is able to hold

more moisture where as
dry air is not .

Air Masses
An air mass is a large body of air that generally
has the same temperature and moisture
characteristics throughout.
These characteristics warm or cold, dry or moist
determine the kind of weather the air mass will
produce.

Types of air masses in America

Continental polar (cP)
Air mass that move south from Canada and are usually very dry and
cold

Maritime polar (mP)

Air masses that move south from the oceans bring moist cold air.

Maritime tropical (mT)

Air masses that move north from southern oceans bring moist warm
air

Continental tropical (cT)

Air masses that move north from Mexico are usually dry and hot

Maritime tropical (mT)

Air masses that move north from southern oceans bring moist warm
air.

Air masses in motion

As air masses move they take on the
characteristics of the ground they are moving
over. A dry air mass going over a large body of
water can pick up enough moisture to cause a
lake effect. On the opposite spectrum, moist
air can dry out over as it passes over large
desserts.

A front is the boundary line between

two different air masses. The
characteristics of the air masses and
their movement or lack there of
determine the type of front.

Characteristics of a Front
Temperature (change)
Moisture (visible)
Pressure (drops)
Speed (wind)
Stability (turbulence)
Local Geography (severity)

Cold Front
When a colder air mass starts moving along the
ground, its leading edge is called a cold front.
Because the colder more dense air is heavier
than the warmer air its moving, its slides
underneath forcing the warm air to rise. Cold
fronts typically move 25 to 30 MPH some
reaching speeds of 60 MPH

Weather conditions
The rising air cools to the dew pint and forms clouds
along the front. Thunderstorms can form if sufficient
moisture and unstable air are present

Warm Font
When a warm air mass moves the leading edge
is called a warm front. Because the warmer air
is less dense it travels up and over the cooler
air below. A warm front has a gradual slope
over colder air which can extend hundreds of
miles ahead of the warm fronts surface
position. Warm fronts move slower than cold
fronts, 10-25 miles per hour.

Weather conditions
The warmer air above causes a temperature inversion.
With sufficient moisture expect widespread stratus
cloud coverage, steady rain, and icing in areas that
are at or below freezing.

Occluded Front
When a faster moving cold front catches up to a
slower moving warm front, an occluded front
forms.

Weather Conditions
An occluded front can have the characteristics of
a cold or warm front. Can cause inversions
that typically dissipate in a 24 hour period

Stationary Front
When opposing air masses have relatively equal
pressure, they stop moving and the line
between them becomes a stationary front

Weather Conditions
Stationary fronts bring cloudy weather that can
last up to a week or more.

Check out Extreme examples & see if

you can tell the differences
http://extremeinstability.smugmug.com/Thumb
nail-Galleries/Storms/

References

Jeppesen aviation weather chapter 8 air masses, fronts, and cyclones

Front picture pg 1
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/front.html
Cold, warm, occluded, stationary front picture
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/tstorm/images.html
cold, warm, occluded, stationary Front character
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cold_front_symbol.svg
Air masses
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxwise/class/frntmass.html