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Frontal Systems

Meteorology (ATPL 050)

Select Front Type

Cold Front Dynamics

Dense cold air undercuts and rapidly lifts warm air. Characterized by steep slopes and convective activity.

Typical Slope
Steep (1:50 to 1:100)
Clouds
Cumuliform (Cb, TCU)
FL 400FL 300FL 200FL 100MSL
Cb
Cold Air (Lifting)
Warm Air (Retreating)
TEMPERATURE GRADIENT
Cross-Section View (A-B)

The Polar Front & Cyclogenesis

Fronts are transition zones between air masses of different densities. In the Northern Hemisphere, Cold Fronts move faster (avg 25-30 kt) than Warm Fronts (avg 10-15 kt). The vertical lifting of air creates adiabatic cooling, condensation, and cloud formation. Occlusion occurs when the cold front catches the warm front, trapping the warm air mass entirely aloft.