Fronts
By: Olivia Mathew
Introduction to Fronts
A front is where two different air masses meet. Depending on the circumstances different weather may occur. In the North America fronts travel from west to east. Your weather conditions depend on the front heading towards you at the time.
Types of Fronts
There are four types of fronts:
Cold Fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and occluded fronts.
Cold Front
A cold front is formed when a fast cold air mass collides with a slow warm air mass and the cold air mass stays under the warm air mass because it's denser. Cold fronts usually bring cumulonimbus clouds and storms.
Warm Front
A warm front is formed when a slow warm air mass collides with slow cold air mass and the cold air mass stays below because it's more dense. Warm fronts usually bring clouds, storms, and rain.
Stationary Front
A stationary front is formed when a cold air mass and a warm air mass meet but neither is strong enough to overcome the other. Stationary fronts usually brings constant rain.
Occluded Front
An occluded front is formed when two cold air masses trap a warm air mass above. The cold air masses stay below because their more dense than the warm air masses. Occluded fronts usually bring light rain or snow.