Meteorology for Pilots - Ch*

Flashcards covering definitions and key concepts related to air masses, fronts, cyclones and hurricanes suitable for pilot meteorology studies.

Air Mass

A large body of air with uniform moisture and temperature in the horizontal.

Air Mass Development Areas

High pressure areas.

Air Mass Temperature Classifications

Arctic, Polar, and Tropical.

Continental Air Masses

Dry

Maritime Air Masses

Moist

cA

Continental Arctic

mA

Maritime Arctic

cP

Continental Polar

mP

Maritime Polar

cT

Continental Tropical

mT

Maritime Tropical

Front

The boundary between two air masses.

Cold Front

Cold air advancing.

Warm Front

Cold air retreating or warm air advancing.

Stationary Front

The edge of an air mass which is not moving.

Occluded Front

A cold front overtaking a warm front.

Frontal Movement Impact

Cold air acts as a wedge and forces warm air aloft.

Frontal Position Aloft

Always on the cold side of the frontal position at the surface.

Frontal Zone Width

Varies from as little as 5 NM to more than 100 NM.

Frontal Cyclone Weather Hazards

Can produce almost every weather hazard there is to flight operations.

Cyclogenesis/Frontogenesis

The beginning development of a front.

Warm Sector

The triangle region of warm air which lies between the warm and cold front of a frontal wave.

Front Location

Regions of low pressure.

Pressure as Front Approaches

Drops

Pressure after Front Passes

Rises

Cold Front Pressure Rise

Rises more rapidly after passage.

Surface Wind - Cold Front

Veers to the right

Surface Wind - Warm Front

Backs to the left

Heading Change - Cold Front

Right or starboard

Heading Change - Warm Front

Left or port

Surface Winds - Warm Front

Shift from east to south

Surface Winds - Cold Front

Shift from south/west to west/northwest

Wave Cyclone Movement Direction

Northeastern

Cyclone Movement

Parallel to the geostrophic wind ahead of the warm front

Continuous Left Crosswind

Flying toward a low-pressure area and unfavorable conditions

Jet Stream Positioning

Deepens the low

Weather at Cold Front

Depends on the stability and moisture of the warm air mass

Continental Air Mass

Dry

Maritime Air Mass

Moist

Cold Front Slope

1 to 50

Warm Front Slope

1 to 200 or less

Turbulence - Cold vs Warm Front

Greater with a cold front

Visibility after Cold Front

Usually improves, except in showers

Visibility after Warm Front

Usually worsens

Clouds - Cold Front

Cumuliform

Clouds - Warm Front

Stratiform

Precipitation - Cold Front

Showery

Precipitation - Warm Front

Steady

FZRA

Indicates rain aloft

PL

Indicates a temperature inversion aloft

First Indication of Warm Front

CI clouds (cirrus)

Warm Front Weather Area

Covers a greater geographic area than a cold front

Warm Front Cloud Order

CI, CS, AS, NS

VFR Hazard - Warm Front

Precipitation-induced fog

Fog/Low Stratus

More prevalent near the surface warm front due to the lowering of the dewpoint temperature from falling rain.

Mechanical Turbulence/Instability

Often found to the west of a cold front.

Squall Lines

Found 50-150 miles ahead of a fast-moving cold front.

Tropical Storm to Hurricane

Winds reach 65 knots

Peak Hurricane Months

August and September

Hurricane Ocean Temperature

At least 26°C (79°F)

Atlantic Hurricanes

Start northwesterly then curve northeasterly

Hurricane Dissipation

Move over cold water or land

Hurricane Eye

Circular, nearly cloud-free region approximately 10 to 20 NM in diameter.

Hurricane Eye Pressure

Lowest sea-level pressure.

Hurricane Strongest Winds

Found in the Eye Wall.

Hurricane Most Intense Convection

Takes place in the Eye Wall.

Hurricane Winds Direction

To your right