Download Weather Fronts notes 2017

Name ________________________________ Date ____________________ Class_______________
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Discussion Questions:
1. What is a front? How do fronts form?
A weather front is the boundary where two air masses meet. When two air masses
with different temperatures and densities collide, they do not mix.
2. How does density play a part in determining how opposite air masses react?
Density determines which air mass will rise and which will sink. Cold air masses
are denser and will sink. Warm air masses are less dense and will rise.
3. What is the difference between an occluded front and a stationary front?
Occluded fronts from when a warm air mass is trapped between two cold air
masses. The warm air mass will rise and the two cold air masses merge.
Stationary fronts form when warm and cold air meet. Neither has the force to
move the other.
4. How do fronts cause weather changes?
The collision often causes storms and changeable weather which can include
precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail), thunderstorms, and temperature changes.
Name ________________________________ Date ____________________ Class_______________
G
Weather Fronts
Directions:
1. Illustrate in the box below what the formation of the labeled front looks like. Label and correctly
color the cold air and warm air. Include arrows to show the direction the air is moving. (USE
TEXTBOOK PAGES 445-447 TO HELP)
2. In the “symbol” box, fill in the correct front symbol you would find on a weather map.
3. In the “type of weather” box, give a brief description of the weather event associated with that
front (ex: rain, snow, cloudy weather, warm weather, etc.) and any storms that are produced.
COLD FRONT PROFILE:
Forms when a cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass, forcing the
warm air to rise.
Cold, dense, quick moving runs into slower warm air, quick storms
WARM FRONT PROFILE:
Forms when a moist, warm air mass slides up and
over a cold air mass.
Slow, less dense warm air brings scattered clouds,
fog, rain – long term
COLD FRONT symbol:
WARM FRONT symbol:
Type of weather:
Type of weather:
Clouds called thunderheads can form as the
moisture rises, cools & condenses.
Warm air rises & condenses into a broad area of
clouds.
A brief thunderstorm may occur with heavy
rain, gusty winds, thunder, lightning, hail
A warm front brings gentle rain or light snow
followed by warmer, milder weather.
followed by cool, fair weather
Name ________________________________ Date ____________________ Class_______________
G
Weather Fronts
Directions:
1. Illustrate in the box below what the formation of the labeled front looks like. Label and correctly
color the cold air and warm air. Include arrows to show the direction the air is moving. (USE
TEXTBOOK PAGES 445-447 TO HELP)
2. In the “symbol” box, fill in the correct front symbol you would find on a weather map.
3. In the “type of weather” box, give a brief description of the weather event associated with that
front (ex: rain, snow, cloudy weather, warm weather, etc.) and any storms that are produced.
STATIONARY FRONT PROFILE:
Forms when warm & cold air meet & neither
has the force to move the other.
Rain stalls out and stays for several days
STATIONARY FRONT Symbol:
OCCLUDED FRONT PROFILE:
Forms when a warm air mass gets trapped between
two cold air masses.
The warm air rises as the cold air masses push to
meet in the middle.
OCCLUDED FRONT Symbol:
They stand still.
Type of weather:
Clouds and fog form
Type of weather:
The temperature drops as the warm air mass is
cut off from the ground & pushed upward.
It might rain or snow
Can bring strong winds & heavy precipitation.
Clouds & precipitation last several days