koudefrontpassage

Koud front passage, also known as a cold-front passage, is the meteorological event in which a cooler air mass moves in and replaces a warmer air mass at the surface boundary of a weather system. The front is the leading edge of the colder air and often features a relatively sharp temperature drop over a short period.

Cold fronts form from the dynamics of mid-latitude cyclones and behave as a steep, sometimes fast-moving boundary. As the front approaches, warm, moist air is lifted abruptly by the advancing cooler air, which can generate cloud formation and precipitation along or near the front. Behind the front, the air is typically drier and cooler than before.

Weather associated with a cold-front passage commonly includes a drop in temperature, a wind shift and often an increase in wind speed, and a change in humidity as drier air moves in. Precipitation is common near the front and can take the form of showers or thunderstorms, especially in warmer seasons; after passage, skies may clear and temperatures stabilize at cooler levels. Cloud types near the front frequently include cumulonimbus anvils and towering cumulus, with clearing stratiform clouds or clear skies once the front has passed.

The timing and intensity of a koudefrontpassage vary with the storm system and geographic location. It is a key element in weather forecasting, aviation planning, and outdoor activity preparation, as the front can bring sudden weather changes within hours.