FRONTS & AIR MASSES

Prepared by :
2/O Mendoza,Cesar Jr. A.
 FRONTS

A front is a boundary or transition zone that separates two distinct air masses with
different properties such as temperature, humidity, and density. When these two air
masses meet, they don't mix easily due to their different properties, creating a sharp
contrast at the front boundary.

There are four main types of fronts: cold fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and
occluded fronts.
 TYPES OF FRONTS

Cold fronts: A cold front is formed when a cold air mass advances into an area
occupied by a warm air mass, pushing the warm air up and over the cold air. This
creates a steep slope or boundary, and often results in heavy precipitation,
thunderstorms, and strong winds.

Warm fronts: A warm front is formed when a warm air mass advances and replaces a
cold air mass, gradually lifting the cold air off the ground. Warm fronts usually bring
light to moderate precipitation over a larger area, with light winds.
 TYPES OF FRONTS

Stationary fronts: A stationary front occurs when two air masses with different
properties meet, but neither is strong enough to replace the other. The
boundary between them remains stationary for several days, often bringing
long periods of light precipitation and cloudy skies.

Occluded fronts: An occluded front is formed when a fast-moving cold front

overtakes a warm front and lifts the warm air mass. This creates a complex
pattern of three air masses: the cold air behind the cold front, the warm air
ahead of the warm front, and the cool air between the two fronts. Occluded
fronts can cause heavy precipitation and strong winds.
 AIR MASS

 An air mass is a large body of air with relatively uniform temperature,

humidity, and pressure characteristics. These air masses form over large
source regions with consistent surface characteristics, such as a large
ocean, a vast plain, or a polar region.
 The characteristics of an air mass depend on its source region, and
remain relatively constant as it moves away from its source region. As an
air mass moves over a region with different surface characteristics, it can
cause changes in temperature, humidity, and weather patterns. When two
air masses with different properties meet, they form a front, which can
lead to the development of storms and other weather events.
 FIVE PRINCIPAL WORLD AIR MASS
There are five principal world air masses, each with unique characteristics based on their
source regions and temperature and humidity properties. The characteristics of each air
mass are as follows:

1. Maritime Tropical (mT): This air mass forms over warm tropical or subtropical oceans
and is characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity. The mT air mass is
responsible for the hot and humid weather in tropical and subtropical regions.

2. Continental Tropical (cT): This air mass forms over hot, dry desert regions and is
characterized by high temperatures and low humidity. The cT air mass brings hot and
dry weather to desert regions.

3. Maritime Polar (mP): This air mass forms over cold ocean regions and is characterized
by cold temperatures and high humidity. The mP air mass brings cool and damp
weather to coastal regions.
 FIVE PRINCIPAL WORLD AIR MASS

4. Continental Polar (cP): This air mass forms over cold land regions and is
characterized by cold temperatures and low humidity. The cP air mass brings
cold and dry weather to northern and interior regions.

5. Arctic (A): This air mass forms over the polar regions and is characterized by
extremely low temperatures and low humidity. The A air mass brings bitterly
cold weather to the polar regions.
 EXPLAIN THE FORMATION OF AIR MASS

 An air mass forms when a large body of air remains over a uniform source region long
enough to take on the characteristics of that region. The key factors that influence the
formation of an air mass include the temperature, humidity, and stability of the source
region.
 The formation of an air mass is influenced by the interaction between the surface of the
Earth and the atmosphere. The characteristics of an air mass can be impacted by
factors such as solar radiation, winds, and weather patterns, leading to changes in the
temperature, humidity, and stability of the air mass. Understanding the formation and
movement of air masses is essential for predicting weather patterns and studying
atmospheric science.
 CYCLOGENESIS

 Cyclogenesis refers to the process by which a cyclone or low-pressure

system forms and intensifies. When a frontal system (the boundary between
two air masses with different temperature and moisture characteristics)
undergoes cyclogenesis, it can result in the formation of a mid-latitude
cyclone or a frontal cyclone.
 The process of cyclogenesis typically begins when a disturbance, such as a
wave or a kink, forms along a frontal boundary. This disturbance can be
caused by a variety of factors, including the convergence of two air masses,
or the interaction of a jet stream with a front. As the disturbance moves
along the front, it can create an area of low pressure, which can intensify
over time.
 CYCLOLYSIS
 When a frontal system or cyclone weakens and dissipates, this is known as
cyclolysis. The decay of a frontal system can occur due to a variety of
factors, including changes in the temperature and moisture content of the
surrounding air masses, or the influence of other weather systems.
 As a frontal system weakens, the low-pressure center at the core of the
system becomes less defined, and the circulation around the center slows
down. This results in less uplift of air and less cloud formation, leading to a
decrease in precipitation.
 The process of cyclolysis can have significant impacts on weather
conditions, as the weakening or dissipation of a frontal system can result in
changes to temperature, precipitation, and other weather patterns.
Understanding the dynamics of frontal systems and the factors that
contribute to their decay is important for predicting weather patterns and
studying atmospheric science.
 FRONTAL DEPRESSION

A frontal depression, also known as a frontal low or simply a depression,

is a weather phenomenon that occurs when a mass of warm air collides
with a mass of cold air at the Earth's surface. The boundary between
these two air masses is known as a front, and when the warm air rises
over the cold air, it can cause the formation of clouds, precipitation, and
even thunderstorms.
Frontal depressions are often associated with changes in weather
conditions, including drops in temperature, changes in wind direction and
intensity, and precipitation. These weather events can have significant
impacts on human activities, such as transportation, agriculture, and
outdoor recreation.
 FORMATION OF
FRONTAL DEPRESSION

A frontal depression, also known as a mid-latitude cyclone, forms when two air
masses of different temperature and moisture content meet along a frontal
boundary. The colder and denser air mass, known as the polar air mass, moves
southward, while the warmer and less dense air mass, known as the tropical air
mass, moves northward. When these two air masses meet, they create a
boundary known as a front.
As the warm air mass rises over the cold air mass, it cools and forms clouds.
The rising air creates an area of low pressure at the surface, which causes more
air to flow in from surrounding regions, further intensifying the cyclone. The
rotation of the Earth causes the cyclone to spin counterclockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, creating a circulation
pattern that draws in more warm air from the south and cold air from the north.
 DEVELOPMENT OF
FRONTAL DEPRESSION
The development of a frontal depression, also known as a mid-latitude cyclone,
involves several stages. The initial stage is the formation of the front, where two
air masses of different temperatures and moisture content meet. The colder and
denser air mass, known as the polar air mass, moves southward, while the
warmer and less dense air mass, known as the tropical air mass, moves
northward. When these two air masses meet, they create a boundary known as
a front.
As the warm air mass rises over the cold air mass, it cools and forms clouds.
The rising air creates an area of low pressure at the surface, which causes more
air to flow in from surrounding regions, further intensifying the cyclone. The
rotation of the Earth causes the cyclone to spin counterclockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, creating a circulation
pattern that draws in more warm air from the south and cold air from the north.
 DEVELOPMENT OF
FRONTAL DEPRESSION

The next stage is the mature stage, where the cyclone reaches its maximum
intensity. The cyclone's central area of low pressure deepens, and the wind
speed increases. The cyclone's cold front moves faster than its warm front,
creating a steep gradient between the two fronts. This can result in heavy
precipitation, such as rain, snow, or hail, as the warm, moist air rises and cools,
forming clouds and releasing moisture.
The final stage is the occluded stage, where the cyclone begins to weaken as
the cold front catches up with the warm front and lifts the warm air mass off the
ground. This creates a wedge of cooler air between the two fronts, cutting off the
supply of warm air to the cyclone. As a result, the cyclone weakens and
dissipates.
 STAGES OF FRONTAL DEPRESSION

A frontal depression, also known as a mid-latitude cyclone, goes through three

main stages during its life cycle: the frontal wave stage, the mature stage, and
the occlusion stage.

1. Frontal wave stage: At this stage, the frontal boundary between two air
masses starts to buckle and form a wave-like shape. The cold front
advances more rapidly than the warm front, which creates a steep
temperature gradient and strong vertical motion in the atmosphere. The
warm air rises, cools, and condenses into clouds, producing precipitation.
The frontal wave continues to intensify, and a low-pressure center develops
along the frontal boundary.
 STAGES OF FRONTAL DEPRESSION
2. Mature stage: During this stage, the low-pressure center becomes more
defined, and the cyclone intensifies. The cold front overtakes the warm front,
creating a well-defined frontal boundary. The strong vertical motion in the
atmosphere produces more precipitation, and the low-pressure center
deepens. The wind speed increases around the cyclone, and the circulation
becomes more organized, with a clear counterclockwise flow in the Northern
Hemisphere and a clockwise flow in the Southern Hemisphere.

3. Occlusion stage: In this final stage, the cyclone begins to weaken as the cold
front catches up to the warm front, lifting the warm air mass off the ground.
This creates a wedge of cooler air between the two fronts, which cuts off the
supply of warm air to the cyclone. The precipitation becomes less intense
and more scattered, and the low-pressure center starts to fill in as the
cyclone dissipates.
 WARNING SIGNS OF APPROACHING FRONTAL
DEPRESSION AT SEA DURING NAVIGATION

Some of the signs that indicate the possible approach of a frontal depression are:

1. A sudden drop in temperature: If the temperature drops suddenly, it could indicate

that a cold front is approaching, which may be associated with a frontal depression.

2. Changes in wind direction and speed: As a frontal depression approaches, the wind
direction and speed may change significantly. The wind may shift from a southerly
direction to a northwesterly or northerly direction and increase in speed.

3. Changes in barometric pressure: A decrease in barometric pressure may indicate

the approach of a frontal depression. A sudden drop in pressure could indicate that
the center of the depression is approaching.
 WARNING SIGNS OF APPROACHING FRONTAL
DEPRESSION AT SEA DURING NAVIGATION

4. Increasing swells and wave height: A frontal depression can cause a sudden
increase in wave height and swells, making the sea rougher. The swell direction
may also change as the depression approaches.

5. Cloud formations: Clouds can be a useful indicator of an approaching frontal

depression. A low, dark cloud formation, such as a wall cloud or a shelf cloud, could
be a sign of the approaching depression.

6. Precipitation: A frontal depression can cause rain, snow, or sleet, depending on the
temperature and moisture content of the air masses involved. Precipitation can be a
sign of an approaching frontal depression.

7. Electrical activity: Lightning can be a sign of an approaching frontal depression,

especially if it is associated with a thunderstorm.
 BUY’S BALLOT LAW

Buy's Ballot's law is a principle in meteorology that describes the relationship between
wind direction and air pressure. The law states that in the Northern Hemisphere, if you
stand with your back to the wind, the area of lower pressure will be on your left, and the
area of higher pressure will be on your right. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere,
the area of lower pressure will be on your right, and the area of higher pressure will be
on your left.
The law is based on the fact that air always flows from high-pressure areas to low-
pressure areas, and the Earth's rotation causes the wind to be deflected to the right in
the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The law is named
after Dutch meteorologist Christophorus Buys Ballot, who first formulated it in 1857.
Buy's Ballot's law is used by meteorologists to help forecast weather patterns, locate
the position of weather systems, and determine the general movement and direction of
weather systems. It is also useful for pilots and sailors, who can use it to help navigate
their routes and avoid potentially dangerous weather conditions.
THANK YOU

Thank You