Weather Fronts and Air Masses Flashcard

Front

What is a cold front?

Back

A cold front is a boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass, where the cold air pushes under the warm air, often leading to a drop in temperature and precipitation.

Front

What are the characteristics of a cold front?

Back

A line of cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds, a drop in temperature, and a shift in wind direction.

Front

What temperature must ocean water reach for a hurricane to form?

Back

Ocean water must be at least 80 degrees F.

Front

How does a cold front affect the weather?

Back

It typically brings cooler temperatures, strong winds, and sometimes heavy precipitation.

Front

What is a stationary front?

Back

A stationary front is a boundary between two air masses that are not moving, often leading to prolonged cloudy and wet weather.

Front

What weather conditions are associated with a stationary front?

Back

Prolonged periods of cloudy and wet weather.

Front

What is an occluded front?

Back

An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, mixing warm and cold air masses.

Front

What weather conditions are associated with an occluded front?

Back

A mix of warm and cold air masses, often leading to complex weather patterns.

Front

What is an air mass?

Back

An air mass is a large body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Front

What are the types of air masses?

Back

The main types of air masses are maritime (moist), continental (dry), polar (cold), and tropical (warm).