Question

How would you expect the winds to change with the passage of a cold front?

a) Back in direction and decrease.
b) Veer in direction and increase.
c) Change in direction without a change in speed.
d) Increases speed with no change of direction.

Answer 1

With the passage of a cold front, winds typically veer in direction and increase in speed as the cooler and denser air mass moves in and displaces the warmer air.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a cold front passes through a region, the temperature typically drops and the winds change. The correct answer to how winds would change is b) Veer in direction and increase. This means that the wind direction shifts in a clockwise direction (in the Northern Hemisphere) and wind speed often increases.

A cold front is defined by the leading edge of a cooler and more dense air mass that displaces the warmer air mass. The abrupt change in air mass can lead to stronger winds due to the high pressure behind the cold front. Additionally, cold fronts are usually associated with weather changes such as thunderstorms, which can also cause variations in wind speed and direction.