Rules for Finding Fronts
- 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.
- 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.
- 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"!!!!!
- 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.
- Look for a sharp change in the wind direction.
A cyclonic
shear in the wind usually indicates frontal passage.
- Check weather and cloud patterns
that are usually associated
with different kinds of fronts.