PREDICTING THE WEATHER
To take an umbrella or not? How we get those all-important forecasts
Sunny skies are favourable for a trip to the beach
WARM AND COLD FRONTS
What do these terms mean and how do they affect us?
Did you know? Fog is a low-lying layer of cloud
1 COLD FRONT CONDITIONS As the warm air is forced upwards so quickly, when it cools and condenses it forms cumulonimbus clouds, and therefore heavy rain or storms. Cumulus clouds follow on from this, with showery conditions and eventually clear skies.
2 WARM FRONTThis is where warm air from the south meets cold air from the north, and the warm air rises gradually above the cold air.
3 IN PRACTICEThe red curves of a warm front and blue triangles of a cold front are shown on a map to show where the fronts are, where they’re heading and the weather they’ll bring.
4 WARM FRONT CONDITIONSAs the warm air slowly rises, it cools and condenses, and clouds are formed. These are nimbostratus, causing steady rainfall; altostratus accompanied by drizzle and finally cirrus, when clearer skies can be seen.