Fronts PT.ca

Question 1

What is a cold front?

Answer 1

The leading edge of a cold air mass, also known as the transition zone where the cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass.

Cold fronts are significant in meteorology for understanding weather patterns.

Question 2

How does a cold front form?

Answer 2

When a wedge of cold air forces its way under a warmer air mass, called frontal lift.

Frontal lift is a key process in the development of various weather phenomena.

Question 3

What is the typical slope of cold fronts?

Answer 3

Cold fronts typically have a steep slope of one degree to one and a half degrees.

This steep slope contributes to the rapid changes in weather associated with cold fronts.

Question 4

Why do cold fronts tend to move faster than warm fronts?

Answer 4

Because cold air is more dense than warm air.

The density difference is a crucial factor in the dynamics of air movement.

Question 5

At what speeds can cold fronts move?

Answer 5

Cold fronts can move at speeds of 30 knots or more.

This speed can lead to sudden weather changes, including thunderstorms.

Question 6

True or False: Cold fronts are slower than warm fronts.

Answer 6

False.

Question 7

What is the transition zone where cold air replaces warmer air called?

Answer 7

Cold front.

Question 8

What direction do winds come from before a cold front passage?

Answer 8

Beginning in the south to southwest

Question 9

What is the temperature trend before a cold front passage?

Answer 9

Warm

Question 10

What is the pressure trend before a cold front passage?

Answer 10

Falling steadily

Question 11

What types of clouds are formed before a cold front passage?

Answer 11

Increasing cumulus, towering cumulus, and cumulonimbus (CU, TCU, and CB)

Question 12

What causes the formation of clouds before a cold front passage?

Answer 12

Warm air expanding as it is lifted by the advancing cold air

Question 13

What is the precipitation condition before a cold front passage?

Answer 13

Short period of showers

Question 14

What is the visibility condition before a cold front passage?

Answer 14

Fair to poor in haze

Question 15

What is the dew point trend before a cold front passage?

Answer 15

High - remains steady

Question 16

What are the main components of weather?

Answer 16

Winds, Temperature, Pressure, Clouds, Precipitation, Visibility, Dew Point

Question 17

What happens to winds as a cold front passes?

Answer 17

Gusting and VEER and increase

Question 18

As a cold front passes, what is observed in temperature?

Answer 18

Sharp drop

Question 19

What happens to winds after a cold front passage?

Answer 19

Becoming a west to northwest

Winds shift direction after the cold front moves through.

Question 20

What is the trend in temperature after a cold front passage?

Answer 20

Steadily dropping

Cold fronts typically cause a drop in temperature.

Question 21

What happens to pressure after a cold front passage?

Answer 21

Rising steadily

Atmospheric pressure generally increases following a cold front.

Question 22

What types of clouds are associated with slow-moving, warm air after a cold front?

Answer 22

NS, AS, Cl

NS: Nimbostratus, AS: Altostratus, Cl: Cirrus clouds.

Question 23

What type of clouds are associated with fast-moving, warm air that is unstable?

Answer 23

CU

CU: Cumulus clouds indicate instability in the atmosphere.

Question 24

What is the expected precipitation pattern after a cold front?

Answer 24

Showers then clearing

Rain showers are common during and immediately after a cold front.

Question 25

What is the visibility condition after a cold front passage?

Answer 25

Good except for in the showers ## Footnote Visibility may be reduced during rain showers but improves afterward.

Question 26

What happens to the dew point after a cold front passage?

Answer 26

Lowering ## Footnote A decrease in dew point indicates drier air following the cold front.

Question 27

What happens to winds as a cold front passes?

Answer 27

Winds gust, veer, and increase ## Footnote 'Veering' refers to a change in wind direction, typically clockwise.

Question 28

What occurs to temperature during the passage of a cold front?

Answer 28

Sudden drop ## Footnote This drop in temperature is a characteristic of cold fronts.

Question 29

What happens to pressure when a cold front passes?

Answer 29

Sharp rise ## Footnote A rise in pressure usually indicates the arrival of cooler, denser air.

Question 30

What type of precipitation is formed as a cold front advances?

Answer 30

Heavy rain, thunder and lightning, and maybe hail ## Footnote Precipitation occurs due to warm air expanding as it is lifted by the advancing cold air.

Question 31

How does visibility change during the passage of a cold front?

Answer 31

Poor but improving ## Footnote Visibility is initially reduced due to precipitation and cloud cover.

Question 32

What happens to the dew point as a cold front passes?

Answer 32

Sharp drop ## Footnote A drop in the dew point indicates a decrease in moisture content in the air.

Question 33

What determines the name of a front?

Answer 33

The motion of the cold air ## Footnote The name of a front is always determined by the motion of the cold air that is perpendicular to it.

Question 34

How is the movement of a front characterized?

Answer 34

It is always dependent on the motion of the cold air ## Footnote The movement of a front might initially seem confusing, but it is always reliant on the cold air's motion.

Question 35

What do weather maps indicate regarding fronts?

Answer 35

They mark the zones of fronts ## Footnote On a weather map, these zones are marked to indicate the presence of fronts.

Question 36

What is a key characteristic of fronts in terms of weather?

Answer 36

They are transitions or mixing zones ## Footnote It is important to remember that fronts are transitions or mixing zones, meaning the actual weather will exist many miles ahead or behind this position.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The actual weather associated with a front will exist many miles _______.

Answer 37

ahead or behind this position ## Footnote The actual weather will not be exactly at the position of the front but rather in the areas ahead or behind it.