Precipitation along Fronts
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/crclm/act/fpr.rxml
1. Precipitation develops from _____________ moving air. As the air rises, it cools and the water vapor
condenses to form cloud droplets and eventually, precipitation. Upward motion typically occurs along
frontal boundaries as air masses of different ___________________ clash. A ___________ dense air
mass is lifted by a __________ dense air mass, leading to the development of _____________________.
2. Precipitation Along Cold Fronts:
The diagram below is a vertical cross-section through two air masses and the frontal boundary separating
them. Fill in the missing components (the white boxes) of this diagram.
Using the animation on the webpage for reference, write a paragraph describing how precipitation
develops along a cold front. Be sure to address the following points:





the shape of the cold front (vertical structure)
strength of upward motions
location and intensity of precipitation
types of precipitation that commonly develop along cold fronts
how the air is lifted
Precipitation Along Warm Fronts:
3) As in question #2, the diagram below is a vertical cross-section through two air masses and the frontal
boundary separating them. Fill in the missing components (the white boxes) of this diagram.
Use this animation on the webpage for reference, write a paragraph describing how precipitation develops
along a warm front. Be sure to keep in mind the following points:





the shape of the warm front (vertical structure)
strength of upward motions
location and intensity of precipitation
types of precipitation that commonly develop along warm fronts
how the air is lifted
Weather Watch
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/investigate/weather_maker.htm
5) Interactive weather maker direction: As you manipulate the weather, remember these two rules:
1. The temperature towards the poles (either north or south) must always be less than the temperature
towards the equator.
2. The maximum difference in the two temperatures is 70 degrees.
Make 10 different scenarios by moving the sliders, there are at least 15 possible!
Equatorward Temp F
Poleward Temp F
Relative humidity %
Example 30
30
70
Conditions: wind,
cloud cover,
precipitation
Little wind, partly
cloudy, no rain or snow