​Weather Symbols

Fronts

Front: boundaries of air masses Differ by temperature, density, and humidity

• The weather we experience depends on which front is dominant 
• Fronts bring precipitation

Cold Front

• A Cold air masses pushes a warm air mass upward

• The air & weather becomes cooler

• Heavy precipitation and storms follow

• Tall cumulonimbus clouds form because the wind is pushing air & water vapor upward

Warm Front

• A warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass

• The temperature warms as cold air is pushed back

• Water vapor causes high humidity

• Precipitation is milder (ex. drizzles)

Stationary Front

• A warm and cold air mass meet trying to move in opposite directions

• Neither is moved

• Heavy storms & precipitation can last for days

Occluded Front

• A warm air mass is caught between 2 cold air masses

• Cold air masses rise over the warmer

• Strong winds and heavy precipitation result