Meteorology

Cold Front

Definition

The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass displacing warmer air. Cold fronts are steeper than warm fronts, move faster, and produce more intense but shorter-duration weather including thunderstorms and turbulence.

Related Terms

Warm Front

The leading edge of an advancing warm air mass riding over retreating cold air. ...

Frontal System

The boundary between two different air masses. Cold fronts bring rapid weather c...

Squall Line

A narrow band of active thunderstorms forming along or ahead of a cold front. Sq...

Test your knowledge

Think you understand Cold Front? Challenge yourself with practice questions covering meteorology and all other ATPL subjects.

Start a Practice Quiz

Or browse all questions by subject