Depressions Flashcards
Where do depressions form?
Over the Atlantic Ocean, then move east over the UK
When do depressions usually form?
When the tropical maritime and polar maritime air masses meet
Where does warm air constantly move out of?
Tropical areas, towards the poles
What is a warm front?
The leading edge of a warm air mass
Where does cold air move out of?
Polar regions, towards the tropics
What is a cold front?
The leading edge of a cold air mass
What happens where the air meets?
The warm air heading towards the pole rises above the cold air heading towards the tropics because warm air is less dense than cold air
What does the rising warm air mean?
That atmospheric pressure is reduced
Why does the whole system rotate as air continues to rise?
Strong winds blow from surrounding areas of high pressure towards the area of low pressure
Why does the cold front catch up with the warm front?
Cold fronts move more quickly than than war fronts
What happens to the warm air behind the warm front when the cold front catches up?
It undercut by the incoming cold front and is lifted away from the ground entirely
What is an occluded front?
When the warm air sits above the cold air
What finally happens to the warm air?
It rises into the atmosphere and the depression dissolves
