Frontal Systems

Question 1

What is a front?

Answer 1

A boundary between two air masses

Question 2

What is a cold front?

Answer 2

Cold, dry stable air is replacing warm, moist and unstable air.

Question 3

What is a warm front?

Answer 3

Warm, moist unstable air is replacing cold dry stable air

Question 4

What is a stationary front?

Answer 4

Boundary between two air masses that is not moving

Question 5

What is an occluded front?

Answer 5

When a cold front catches up with a warm front.

Question 6

Which travels faster a warm front or cold front?

Answer 6

Cold Front

Question 7

Describe the progression associated with the passage of a warm front

Answer 7

Warm Front
followed by the
Warm Sector
and then the
Cold Front

Question 8

How does a warm front advance?

Answer 8

By sliding on top of colder denser air.

Question 9

What happens as a warm front approaches?

Answer 9

Pressure falls steadily.
Wind may back and increase slightly.
Temperature begins to rise.
Cirrus cloud becomes cirrostratus.
Cloud base lowers.
Rain commences and becomes continuous.

Question 10

What happens as a cold front approaches?

Answer 10

Wind speed increases to moderate.
Pressure falls.
Dew point and temperature generally remain steady.
Precipitation increases.

Question 11

What is a line squall?

Answer 11

Rolling cloud due to overrun of cold air caused by surface friction. They contain heavy showers and turbulent conditions.