GEOG 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Cold Front
7 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Mid-latitude wave cyclone is a low pressure cell that forms & moves along a frontal boundary. It exhibits counter-clockwise circulation (nh) around the low center and produces a wavelike deformation of the front. high pressure cells do not have frontal boundries. Stages of the wave cyclone life cycle: (3/4/5!!!!!! Stage 1: two air masses, a cold (cp or mp) & a warm (mt) are set-up along a stationary front & move parallel to it. Stage 2: a wave forms along the stationary front as warm air starts to move pole ward and cold air moves equator ward. Stage 3: cyclonic (counter-clockwise) circulation develops, with general convergence at the surface and uplifting. The warm air overrides the cold air (frontal wedging) and a cold front and warm front are established. Stage 4: the cold front moves faster than the warm front and begins to overtake it. This is the beginning stage of occlusion and the formation of an occluded front.
