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Atmospheric Fronts

Cold Β· Warm Β· Occluded β€” synoptic map with cross-section

Meteorology Weather Systems Isobars Air Masses
Front type:
Surface pressure: 1005 hPa Cold-air temp: 5Β°C Warm-air temp: 18Β°C Dewpoint: 12Β°C Precip rate: 4.2 mm/h

🌩️ Atmospheric Fronts

A front is the boundary between two air masses of different temperature, humidity, and density. Fronts are the main drivers of mid-latitude weather.

Cold front: dense cold air undercuts warm air sharply (slope β‰ˆ 1:100), producing cumulonimbus, intense short-duration rain, and a rapid temperature drop. The front symbol is a blue line with triangles pointing in the direction of movement.

Warm front: warm air rides gradually over retreating cold air (slope β‰ˆ 1:200), producing stratiform clouds (cirrus β†’ altostratus β†’ nimbostratus) and steady widespread rain ahead of the front. Red line with semicircles.

Occluded front: a faster-moving cold front catches up with a warm front, lifting the warm sector entirely off the ground. Shown as a purple alternating symbol. Associated with mature cyclones and complex precipitation patterns.

Stationary front: a boundary with little or no movement β€” persists for days and can cause prolonged rainfall. Alternating cold/warm symbols on opposing sides.