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Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts: A Comparison — Reading Comprehension

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7.RI.7.3
RI.5.3
RI.5.5
RI.6.9
RI.6.3

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Cold fronts bring thunderstorms and cooler temperatures, while warm fronts bring light rain and warmer temperatures. Both are boundaries between air masses that influence weather changes and precipitation patterns.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Cold fronts and warm fronts are boundaries between air masses that bring changes in weather. While both are types of weather fronts, they have different characteristics and effects.

A cold front occurs when a cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass, forcing the warm air to rise quickly. This often leads to thunderstorms, heavy rain, and cooler temperatures. Cold fronts move faster than warm fronts and are represented on weather maps by blue lines with triangles.

A warm front occurs when a warm air mass rises over a cold air mass, leading to light rain or drizzle and warmer temperatures. Warm fronts move more slowly than cold fronts and are represented on weather maps by red lines with semicircles.

Both cold and warm fronts can cause precipitation, but the type and intensity differ. Cold fronts bring sudden, intense weather changes, while warm fronts bring gradual, milder changes. The interaction of cold and warm fronts can also create occluded fronts, which bring complex weather patterns.

Understanding cold and warm fronts helps meteorologists predict weather changes and issue warnings for severe weather.

Fun fact: The term “front” was first used during World War I, inspired by the battlefronts of the war.

What is a cold front?

A boundary where warm air rises over cold airA boundary where cold air pushes under warm airA type of anticycloneA high-pressure system

What weather does a cold front bring?

Light rain and warmer temperaturesThunderstorms and cooler temperaturesClear skies and calm weatherDry conditions and heatwaves

What is a warm front?

A boundary where cold air pushes under warm airA boundary where warm air rises over cold airA type of cycloneA low-pressure system

What weather does a warm front bring?

Thunderstorms and cooler temperaturesLight rain and warmer temperaturesHeavy rain and strong windsDry conditions and cold spells

How are cold fronts represented on weather maps?

Red lines with semicirclesBlue lines with trianglesGreen lines with squaresYellow lines with circles