Rules for Finding Fronts

  1. Look for a strong temperature gradient (a relatively sharp difference in a relatively short distance). The front will be at the warm side of the sharpest gradient, as indicated by the packing of the isotherms.

  2. Likewise, look for a strong dew point gradient. The front will be on the high side of the gradient, as indicated by the packing of the isodrosotherms (lines of constant dew point temperature.

  3. The front will be found in a pressure trough. Fronts are associated with areas of low pressure. Remember! There are no such things as "high fronts" or "low fronts"!!!!!

  4. Look at the three hour pressure changes, known as tendencies. With the passage of the front the pressure will decrease then increase, giving a trace which looks like a check mark, or check tendency.

  5. Look for a sharp change in the wind direction. A cyclonic shear in the wind usually indicates frontal passage.

  6. Check weather and cloud patterns that are usually associated with different kinds of fronts.