Question

Explain the formation of fronts and depression.

Answer 1

The movement of air is responsible for different climate conditions that result in rainfall, fog, thunderstorms, etc. This is predominated by mainly two weather systems:

1. Fronts: This is a separating boundary between different types of weather systems. These two weather systems have different temperatures, humidity, and pressures. It could be a cold front (a low-pressure system) or a warm front (a high-pressure system). Cold fronts are formed when cold, dense air moves towards lighter, warm air. This results in thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. On the other hand, warm fronts form when lighter warm air persists closer to the ground. Since cold air exerts pressure upon the lighter warm air, it creates a high-pressure system leading to calm, clear weather.
2. Depression: The longitudinal movement of air (air currents) takes place from a high-pressure region towards the region of low pressure. Since this movement of air is dependent on pressure, it occurs across a pressure gradient, i.e., from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure. Due to the Earth’s rotation, this movement occurs in a spiraling manner. The movement of air around a low-pressure center is called depression. Such a depression results in severe rainfall, and thunderstorms.