Weather Fronts, Winds, and Thunderstorms Notes (copy)

Warm Front

A boundary where warm air gently lifts over cooler air, typically resulting in stratus clouds.

Cold Front

A steep lifting boundary where cold air rapidly lifts warm air, resulting in tall clouds like cumulonimbus.

Cumulonimbus

A type of cloud associated with thunderstorms, characterized by its tall, dense appearance.

Nimbostratus

A type of cloud that typically forms in association with a warm front, known for bringing continuous rain.

Isobars

Lines on a weather map that connect points of equal atmospheric pressure, indicating wind direction.

Jet Stream

A fast-moving air current high in the atmosphere that influences weather patterns by steering low pressure systems.

Occluded Front

A front where warm air is lifted over cooler air, leading to heavy precipitation as the warm air cools and condenses.

Thunderstorm Life Cycle

The stages of a thunderstorm, including cumulus, mature, and dissipating stages.

Cumulus Stage

The initial stage of a thunderstorm where warm air rises, resulting in the formation of cumulus clouds.

Lightning

A large discharge of electricity that occurs during thunderstorms, resulting from charge separation in the clouds.

Frontal Lifting

A process that occurs when warm air rises over cooler air, often leading to thunderstorms.

High Pressure System

An area of lower temperature and higher pressure that can lead to stable and lasting weather conditions.

Thunderstorm Drivers

Factors that contribute to the formation of thunderstorms, including surface heating and frontal boundaries.