Understanding Warm and Cold Fronts

Why do air masses from different areas often not mix?

• They are too far apart.

• They have different colors.

• They have different densities.

• They move too fast.

Which type of air is (less dense) lighter and tends to rise when it meets another air mass?

• Cold air

• Warm air

• Moist air

• Dry air

What is formed when two different types of air masses meet?

• A cloud

• A front

• A storm

• A balloon

When a cold front forms, what does the cold air do?

• It moves above the warm air.

• It mixes with the warm air.

• It moves under the warm air and pushes it up.

• It stays still next to the warm air.

What kind of weather usually follows after a cold front has moved through?

• Warmer and wetter weather

• Cooler and drier weather with blue skies

• Days of cloudy, wet weather

• Drizzly rain

How does a warm front form?

• Cold air pushes warm air up.

• Warm air moves over cold air.

• Two cold air masses meet.

• Two warm air masses meet.

What type of weather does a warm front usually bring?

• Thunderstorms and heavy snow

• Clear and very cold weather

• Drizzly rain followed by clear, warm weather

• Strong winds and hail

What happens in an occluded front?

• Warm air is caught between two cold air masses.

• Cold air is caught between two warm air masses.

• Warm and cold air masses stay side-by-side.

• Only warm air is present.

What is a stationary front?

• A front that moves very quickly.

• A front where warm air pushes cold air away.

• A front where air masses meet but don't move each other.

• A front that only brings sunny weather.

What kind of weather can you expect from a stationary front?

• Short, heavy thunderstorms

• Clear skies and sunshine

• Days of cloudy, wet weather

• Very cold temperatures and blizzards