A question about cold fronts

[kelleher]

I noticed on the DWD surface chart, that yesterday they had two cold fronts moving east, they were right next to each other. I can`t explain it very well as I`m all new to this.

I`m confused, as I don`t understand how one cold front can go through, followed by another. I assumed the cold front was associated with an area of low pressure, yet the other cold front was ahead of the main one (the one with the low pressure) and not attached to anything (follow me?).

The other question, I`ve noticed some cold fronts sweep through and there is no lowering of the temperature or dewpoint, why is this and how can it be called a cold front if it does not introduce cooler air?

Thanks in advance

 

[wxmanjerry]

Yes, you can have two..or more cold fronts..one right behind the other. The answer lies in knowing that fronts, warm or cold, are really the leading or receding edges of massive domes of air with relatively the same temperature and moisture in the horizontal. These great masses of air reach right out to the edges of the atmosphere. They are born in source regions of the earth and slide around like giant bubbles stuck on the earth, slithering around, under and over one another in a never ending dance around the world.

A front, or frontal zone is formed where the bubbles meet and all sorts of weather...clouds, thunderstorms, steady rain, etc. will occur where relatively cooler bubbles slide under, or undercut relatively warmer bubbles. There are times when one bubble will slide faster than another relatively warmer bubble, undercut it and eventually almost catch up to the slower bubble. When this happens, you will see fronts very close to one another. Have a look at a surface weather map...once you recognize these three dimensional bubbles or domes of air, you will gain a better understanding of concepts and characteristics of fronts.

Hope that helps.

 

[danP]

Great explanation Jerry