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confusedcanuck
9th Feb 2011, 12:03
Hi,

I know this sounds like a PPL question, but having done my ATPL I've completely forgotten the answer to this question:

Why is a cold front sloped the way that it is i.e. why is the frontal surface at the ground many hundreds of miles ahead of the frontal surface at altitude.

Thanks

onetrack
9th Feb 2011, 12:24
Confusedcanuck - Because a cold front consists of moist cold air, and therefore, more dense air... which is heavier than the drier, warmer air it's displacing. As a result, the leading edge of a cold front, forms a wedge shape, that pushes forward, under the warmer air.

confusedcanuck
10th Feb 2011, 02:37
Ok, Thanks