Chapter 9, Problem 1GST

To determine

The sketch of a vertical cross-section of a cold front and a warm front that include the elements, such as shape and slope of each type of front, air mass on both sides of each front, types of clouds typically associated with each front, type of rainfall associated with each front, and the characteristics of temperature and humidity found on both sides of each front.

Answer to Problem 1GST

Explanation of Solution

A front can be described as a boundary surface that separates air masses of different densities. Generally, one of the masses is warmer and consists of more moisture than the other. However, the formation of fronts also occurs between any two contrasting air masses. A warm front is formed when the surface position of a front moves and thereby warmer air invades the territory previously occupied by cooler air. When the advance of cold air into a region is occupied by warmer air that occurs, then the zone of discontinuity is referred as a cold front.