An Arctic front is a boundary between cold, dry Arctic air and slightly warmer polar air that can cause weather phenomena such as rain and snow. It moves south in winter, bringing snow and rain, and can pose a threat to travellers and require extra heating to maintain comfortable living conditions.
An arctic front is a boundary between an arctic air mass and a polar air mass. This boundary tends to exist more or less continuously in northern latitudes, although it will change position as seasonal weather patterns are expressed. The equivalent on the other side of the planet is an Antarctic front. The movement of Arctic fronts is a topic of interest among meteorologists and meteorological researchers.
Arctic air masses tend to be cold and dry. When colliding with a polar air mass, which is slightly warmer, the Arctic air mass creates a wedge that pushes the polar air underneath. This causes air movements that can lead to weather phenomena such as rain and snow along the Arctic front line. This “cold front” can create weather conditions that can range from relatively mild to quite intense, depending on a number of meteorological factors.
People living at high latitudes often experience winter weather brought by the Arctic fronts. In winter, the Arctic front tends to move south in response to changing weather conditions, bringing snow and rain with it. Sometimes a front can hover over an area for an extended period of time, dumping a high volume of snow. Eventually, the Arctic front will be pushed further south or further north.
When an Arctic front retreats, the climate warms up, because warmer polar air mass is moving over the landscape. In areas where the Arctic air mass moves to stay, the climate can get much colder, due to the colder temperature of the Arctic air mass. Snow and ice will be held back as a result, because the climate doesn’t warm up enough to allow for melting. In some areas, snow can remain throughout the winter due to extremely cold conditions.
The Arctic front can also pose a threat to travellers. It is generally dangerous to drive or fly during severe winter weather because visibility is obscured and high winds can pose a hazard. People may be forced off course and may not realize it if there has been heavy snow, as this can obscure landmarks and the landscape in general. Arctic fronts are also a cause for concern when it comes to maintaining comfortable living conditions, as the blast of cold can require extra work from heating systems to keep structures at a usable and comfortable level of heat for their occupants.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
