Weather fronts: cause and effect
-Cold Front-
There are several causes and effects of a cold front. A cold front is normally caused by a cold air mass pushing against a warm air mass, forcing the air up. When the air masses meet, water vapor condenses and rises with the air. One effect of a cold front is tall cumulonimbus clouds and short heavy storms. This happens because water vapor in the warm air rises and forms clouds when it is pushed up. Another effect of a cold front is cold and clear air after the storms pass. Cold fronts are caused by cold and warm air masses meeting and affect the weather. |
-Warm Front-
Warm fronts have many causes and effects. When a warm air mass pushes against a cold air mass and gradually moves over the cold air, a warm front is caused. When the air masses meet, water vapor in the warm air condenses and rises with the air. One effect of a warm front is cirrus and stratus clouds along with long hours of precipitation because of the spread out clouds. After the precipitation passes, the air is warmer. Warm fronts are caused when warm air pushes cold air and affects clouds and weather. |
-Stationary Front-
Another front with causes and effects is a stationary front. A stationary front is caused when two air masses first meet or when fronts stop moving. When the air masses meet, the air can move upward or sideways along the boundary, sometimes causing water droplets to condense. An effect of a stationary front is clouds forming because of the upward motion of air. Another effect of a stationary front is a warm or cold front if one air mass starts moving. After the front passes, the air is warmer or cooler, depending on which front occurs after the stationary front. |