climate and weather

Question 1

what are the general characteristic of a mid-latitude cyclone?

Answer 1

• AKA frontal depression / cold front
• they are low pressure systems associated with the meeting of warm and cold air masses. the two masses have different densities and do not mix
• diameters range from 1000km to 4000km
• occur all year round

Question 2

what is a warm front?

Answer 2

found where warm air is advancing and being forced to override cold air

Question 3

what is a cold front?

Answer 3

occurs when advancing cold air undercuts a body of warm air

Question 4

what is a cyclogenesis?

Answer 4

occurs as a result of an imbalance in energy between the polar and tropical regions

Question 5

where do mid-latitude cyclones form?

Answer 5

• between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south of the equator
• in both hemispheres they move from west to east within the westerly winds, at speeds of 40-90km/h

Question 6

what is a family of fronts?

Answer 6

a series of fronts which develop, three or four fronts follow one after the other

Question 7

what are the necessary conditions for the formation of a mid-latitude cyclone?

Answer 7

• 2 large high-pressure systems (anti-cyclones) are in contact on the polar front
• the warm, subtropical high pressure contains a warm, moist maritime air mass
• the polar high pressure contains a cold, dry air mass
• the air flow converges from opposite directions on the two sides of the polar front
• disturbances on the polar front result in an unstable situation, creating a local low pressure into which air will flow and around which will circulate