cold front

views updated May 29 2018

cold front A boundary between dense, cold air and the warmer air ahead of it, which the cold air tends to undercut as it advances. The gradient of the upper surface of the cold air may be steep (e.g. 1:50). Along this steep front violent upwelling and instability result in high cumulonimbus cloud with rain and thunder. Weather changes occur with the passage of a cold front, sometimes including a pronounced temperature fall, a rise in pressure, and wind veering (often with squalls) to northerly or north-westerly (in the northern hemisphere). The passage of the front commonly brings clearer, brighter weather, but the unstable air may produce showers.

cold front

views updated May 08 2018

cold front Boundary between dense, cold air and the warmer air ahead of it, which the cold air tends to undercut as it advances. The gradient of the upper surface of the cold air may be steep, e.g. 1:50. Along this steep front violent upwelling and instability result in high cumulonimbus cloud with rain and thunder. Weather changes occur with the passage of a cold front, sometimes including a pronounced temperature fall, a rise in pressure, and wind veering (often with squalls) to northerly or north-westerly (in the northern hemisphere). The passage of the front commonly brings clearer, brighter weather, but the unstable air can produce showers.

cold front

views updated May 29 2018

cold front • n. Meteorol. the boundary of an advancing mass of cold air, in particular the trailing edge of the warm sector of a low-pressure system.

Cold Front

views updated May 14 2018

Cold Front ★½ 1989 (R)

A hired assassin turned serial killer is hunted by two dedicated cops. 94m/C VHS . CA Martin Sheen, Michael Ontkean, Beverly D'Angelo, Kim Coates; D: Allan Goldstein; C: Thomas Burstyn.