Chapter U3.7, Problem 5E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The expected weather due to warm front approaching the hometown is to be described.

Concept Introduction : Weather refers to clouds, winds, temperature and precipitation in a region at a given time. Weather of a place is affected by weather fronts. Weather fronts are formed at the boundaries of warm and cold air masses.

Answer to Problem 5E

The high, wispy cloudsassociated with warm fronts could be seen several hundred miles away before the front reaches the place. As the warm front approaches, the clouds grow thicker and lower, and precipitation falls. Warm fronts produce steady light rain.

Explanation of Solution

Awarm front occurs when a warm air mass overtakes a cold air mass. The warm air gradually flows up and over the cold air because the warm air is less dense. The warm air cools at higher altitudes and water vapor condenses to form clouds. The clouds associated with warm fronts are high and wispy and are formed ahead of the place where the air masses meet. Steady light rain over a large area is associated with warm fronts.

Conclusion

Weather fronts occur at the boundaries between warm and cold air masses. They affect the weather of a place.