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Weather Front Definition

A weather front is the boundary between two air masses with different temperatures and humidity, causing weather changes. For example, a cold front can lead to storms.

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Air Masses & Weather Fronts

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Weather fronts are usually large air masses that can be hundreds of miles wide.
  • Weather is typically cloudy with a stationary front, until another air mass comes in to break it up.
  • Occluded fronts tend to move quickly and can lead to stormy weather.

Why Do We Need To Know About Weather Front

Learning about weather fronts helps us understand how meteorologists predict the upcoming weather. When two air masses collide, they form a weather front, and dramatic changes can happen.  Knowing about these fronts helps weather experts use tools and models to tell us when the weather is going to change and warn us about bad weather like big storms.

This knowledge is important because it helps keep people and their homes safe by warning them about dangerous weather ahead of time. It also shows how understanding weather is used in real life and jobs.  Forecasting weather is not an exact science, but it is becoming more accurate as technology advances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you describe an air mass?
An air mass is a large mass of air that has similar characteristics such as temperature and humidity.
What causes air masses to move around?
Prevailing winds, which are winds that blow in one direction, move air masses around. These winds are caused by the uneven heating of air.
What happens when two air masses crash into each other?
When two air masses collide, they form a weather front. Dramatic weather changes can happen such as wind, rain and thunderstorms.
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