Aim: How are fronts formed? Do Now: List the 4 main types of air masses using their abbreviated symbols (hint; these shouldn’t be memorized) cP, mP, cT, mT

- the boundary between two different air masses. - named for the temperature of the air that is moving into your area I. Fronts: FRONT cT mP What name can we give this front? COLD FRONT

HOW DO CLOUDS FORM? DO NOT COPY Warm moist air rises The air expands This cools the air Temperature = Dew Point Temperature Air is 100% saturated Condensation occurs to make a cloud

A. Warm Fronts : warm air moves into an area covered by cooler air.  Warm air slowly rises ( gentle slope ); clouds and light rain form in front of the boundary. II. Types of Fronts SYMBOL Gentle rising slope

B. Cold Fronts : cold air moves into a region occupied by warmer air.  Warm air rises quickly ( steep curved slope ); clouds and heavy rains form behind the boundary. SYMBOL Steep rising slope Cumulonimbus storm clouds

C. Stationary Fronts : Warm and cold air masses move parallel to the front.  This results little motion with light rains in one area. SYMBOL

D. Occluded Fronts : an active cold front overtakes a warm front. the cold front moves towards a warm front forcing warm air to rise. SYMBOL

the cold front merges with the warm front creating large clouds and heavy rain. the occluded front is formed, light rains continue as the system moves slowly.

 large centers of low pressure air that are carried by prevailing winds ( westerlies ) and cause stormy weather. III. Mid Latitude Cyclones Why is the path of these fronts curving across the United States? Coriolis effect makes them curve (Earth’s rotation)

Closure: Using the notes you took on fronts, complete the double sided worksheet (upfront on my desk) that will have you organize the facts about each type of front for easy studying later.