Finding Fronts on a Weather Map
A front defines a boundary between two air
masses. For example, a cold front is the leading edge
of an advancing colder air mass. Other types of fronts
are called warm, stationary, and occluded. Warm
fronts and stationary fronts separate warmer air and
cooler air. An occluded front divides three air masses.
Temperature, sky cover, cloud types, pressure, and wind change along fronts. Sometimes the
changes are very noticeable while at other times they
are subtle. Precipitation is also often associated with
fronts. Locate fronts on a weather map by learning
the standard plotting routine discussed below.
Below you will find the symbols used to depict fronts on weather maps. The map above is from the National
Weather Service. After reading the explanation below see if you can locate fronts on the map.
Cold Front: A boundary between cold and warm air.
Cold air is replacing warm air and is moving in the direction in which the triangles are pointed.
Warm Front: A boundary between warm and cold air
but the warm air is replacing cooler air. The front is
moving in the direction the semicircles are pointed.
Stationary Front: A boundary between warm and cool
air but the front is stalled or only moving slightly. The
triangles are pointed away from the cooler air while
the semicircles are pointed away from the warm air.
Occluded Front: Colder air replacing a warm air mass
has caught up with a cool air mass. The occlusion occurs when the cold front lifts both the warm and cool
air masses above the ground.
Locate and identify the fronts found on the map above. You will find cold, warm, and stationary fronts.
© 2012 Weather Briefing, L.C.