- Fronts are boundaries between air masses of different temperatures. Fronts are actually zones of transition, but sometimes the transition zone, called a frontal zone, can be quite sharp.
- The type of front depends on both the direction in which the air mass is moving and the characteristics of the air mass. There are four types of fronts: cold front, warm front, stationary front, and occluded front.
- To locate a front on a surface map, look for the following:
- sharp temperature changes over relatively short distances,
- changes in the moisture content of the air (dew point),
- shifts in wind direction,
- low pressure troughs and pressure changes, and
- clouds and precipitation patterns.
(Stationary)
(Warm &Cold)
(Occluded)