Cold front passages are common events in the mid-latitudes,
especially in the fall, winter, and spring. Although all cold fronts
are associated with a "parent" low pressure system, weather
conditions before, during, and after cold front passage may vary from
one front to the next. In this exercise, two different cold fronts are
presented to study weather characteristics of a cold front passage.
Objectives
Objectives
- Given animations of several atmospheric variables (e.g., temperature, rainfall) during a cold front passage, the student will be able to locate the front, determine its direction of movement, and list at least five weather conditions (e.g., cloudy behind front) associated with the specific front.
- The student will be able to list at least three weather conditions similar among all cold fronts.
- Divide the class into groups of 2 or 3 students.
- Give half of the groups the files for the October 17, 1996 front and the other half the files for the November 6, 1996 front.
- Remember that the cold front is located at the leading edge of the cold air, with cold air advancing and warm air retreating. Hence, use the air temperature field to locate the front.
| PROCEDURE 1. In this activity, there are two different cold front cases. Half of the class will examine one case and the other half will examine the second case. 2. Using WxImage or another QuickTime® movie player, animate the movies depicting air temperature, dew point, solar radiation, rainfall, and wind. Examine each animation for patterns and changes. 3. Answer the questions below for your case. After answering the questions, gather together with the rest of the class and discuss the similarities and differences between the two cold fronts. QUESTIONS 1. Describe how the air temperatures change across the state as the cold front passes through. Where are the warmest temperatures? The coolest? 2. Can you locate the cold front? How? 3. In which direction does the front move? At approximately what speed? (Use the Oklahoma road map, if necessary.) 4. By the time the cold front has passed through central Oklahoma, the Panhandle is warming. Why? 5. Describe how the dewpoint temperatures change across the state as the cold front passes through. Where are the highest dew points? The lowest? 6. Is there any rainfall associated with the cold front? If so, where does it fall with respect to the location of the front? 7. Are there any clouds associated with the cold front? If so, where are they located with respect to the front? 8. Describe how the winds change across the state as the cold front passes through. Where are the strongest winds? The weakest? 9. Find the location of your school on the map. How did the weather change at your school as the cold front moves across the state? 10. What other weather data might be useful in studying the weather associated with the front? Why? |
PREREQUISITES
(Per person):
Cold front CORE CURRICULUM SKILLS APPLIED IN THIS LESSON
        
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