Weather fronts and systems

Fronts Where two air masses meet Warm – warm air meets cooler air Cold – cooler air meets warmer air Stationary – warm and cold fronts of equal strength meet Occluded – 3 air masses meet

Warm Front

Along the front there is rain, followed by slow steady rain

To the left (west) of a warm front, there is usually a Low pressure (WARM air)

Warm Front Stratus clouds Followed by warmer air, more evaporation Often rainy weather

Cold Front

Usually stormy weather along the front, followed by a high pressure system (fair weather)

Cold Front Cumulonimbus clouds Storms followed by clear, fair, cooler weather

Stationary Front

Stationary front Stays over an area for a long period of time Usually brings rain

Occluded Front Where 3 pressure systems meet May spawn tornadoes, tropical cyclones, hurricanes May be very destructive