The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. The Environment
  4. Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?

  • 7 Replies
  • 41922 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Martin Quin

  • Guest
Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
« on: 26/07/2008 15:07:48 »
Martin Quin asked the Naked Scientists:

Hello,

Right now I'm taking meteorology, and I have a question my professor
can't answer.  Why are cold fronts faster than warm fronts?  Thank you for
your time,

Martin Quin
What do you think?
Logged
 



paul.fr

  • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #1 on: 26/07/2008 15:22:20 »
    You need to look at your models / charts for occlusions, and tie them in with what a cold front looks like from a cross section view.

    It moves faster because the makeup of a cold front itself, your cold front has a leading edge (wedge shape)of cold and denser air. This air pushes up the warmer lighter air. If you look at your model of a warm front, you will see that it is like hitting a brick wall - the warmer lighter air has a harder time trying to lift the colder denser air, thus slowing it down.

    Cold fron can move at upto 20mph faster than a warm front!

    If i get time i will post some diagrams later.
    Logged
     

    Offline DoctorBeaver

    • Naked Science Forum GOD!
    • *******
    • 12653
    • Activity:
      0%
    • Thanked: 3 times
    • A stitch in time would have confused Einstein.
      • View Profile
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #2 on: 26/07/2008 15:46:30 »
    That's interesting, Paul. I never knew that.
    Logged
     

    paul.fr

    • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #3 on: 26/07/2008 19:20:37 »
    Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 26/07/2008 15:46:30
    That's interesting, Paul. I never knew that.

    Ahh Shucks,  [:I]

    Ok, I tried to do the drawing but as usual the turn out very poor when trying to use a mouse. But, I did find this pretty helpful page:
    Norwegian Cyclone Model

    Logged
     

    paul.fr

    • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #4 on: 26/07/2008 19:22:17 »
    Images from the above link:


     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]

    * cyclo1.gif (2.42 kB, 250x81 - viewed 21241 times.)

    * cyclo2.gif (5.01 kB, 250x112 - viewed 21368 times.)

    * cyclo3.gif (6.77 kB, 250x126 - viewed 21231 times.)

    * cyclo4.gif (10.85 kB, 250x204 - viewed 21241 times.)

    * cyclo5.gif (10.49 kB, 250x192 - viewed 21296 times.)
    Logged
     



    paul.fr

    • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #5 on: 26/07/2008 19:32:55 »
    To add to the text from that link:

    Once this low has reached the warm sector stage (the 3rd image) it continues to develope, the warm sector increasing in amplitude and becoming narrower. This is where the cold from catches up with and eventually overtakes the warm front.

    In the fourth image you will notice that the warm air does not now extend all the way to the centre of the low, this is due to the cold front overtaking the warm, and you have an occlusion developing.

    Logged
     

    paul.fr

    • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #6 on: 26/07/2008 19:36:36 »
    These images are also from the above link, and are the best i have seen. The show a 3d view of the waves, and are really simple to view then understand.

     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]

    * wave1.jpg (37.46 kB, 350x253 - viewed 21350 times.)

    * wave2.jpg (38.32 kB, 350x250 - viewed 21147 times.)

    * wave3.jpg (39.28 kB, 350x250 - viewed 21248 times.)
    Logged
     

    paul.fr

    • Guest
  • Best Answer
  • Why do cold fronts move faster than warm fronts?
    « Reply #7 on: 26/07/2008 19:37:21 »
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]
    .
     [ Invalid Attachment ]

    * wave4.jpg (39.84 kB, 350x249 - viewed 21557 times.)

    * wave5.jpg (40.11 kB, 350x253 - viewed 21146 times.)
    Logged
     



    • Print
    Pages: [1]   Go Up
    « previous next »
    Tags:
     

    Similar topics (5)

    Which clock is faster: clock in ISS or clock in geostationary satellite?

    Started by hamdani yusufBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

    Replies: 12
    Views: 3270
    Last post 28/12/2020 11:13:15
    by evan_au
    Do chimp sperm cells swim faster than human sperm cells ?

    Started by Yair DozaBoard Cells, Microbes & Viruses

    Replies: 1
    Views: 7138
    Last post 28/03/2010 18:34:05
    by RD
    Light faster than light - sideways?

    Started by SmeggitBoard General Science

    Replies: 4
    Views: 8014
    Last post 22/02/2004 01:34:09
    by tweener
    Why Do Finger Nails Grow Faster Than Toe Nails ?

    Started by neilepBoard Physiology & Medicine

    Replies: 3
    Views: 8920
    Last post 14/01/2008 23:37:09
    by JnA
    If you could travel faster than light, could you travel in time?

    Started by DmaierBoard Technology

    Replies: 13
    Views: 14340
    Last post 19/03/2020 14:56:52
    by Paul25
    There was an error while thanking
    Thanking...
    • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
      Privacy Policy
      SMFAds for Free Forums
    • Naked Science Forum ©

    Page created in 0.291 seconds with 49 queries.

    • Podcasts
    • Articles
    • Get Naked
    • About
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe to newsletter
    • We love feedback

    Follow us

    cambridge_logo_footer.png

    ©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.