Frontal Depression

Frontal Depression
A frontal depression is a low-pressure area formed at the boundary

between two different air masses. It occurs in middle or higher latitudes.
Series of the following one after the other is known as 'family of frontal
depressions'. The formation of a frontal depression is called
'frontogenesis'.
Formation and Development of Frontal Depression

A frontal depression is a low-pressure area formed at the boundary
between two different air masses. It occurs in middle or higher latitudes.
Series of the following one after the other is known as 'family of frontal
depressions'. The formation of a frontal depression is called
'frontogenesis'.
Warning sign of approaching Frontal Depression
Atmospheric pressure falls steadily. Wind direction is steady and wind
force is increasing. Temperature is slowly rising. There is continuous
heavy rain or snow.
Frontal Depression different stages

Formation: Frontal depressions typically form along boundaries where
contrasting air masses meet, such as cold and warm fronts. As these air masses
collide, the warmer air rises over the cooler air, leading to the formation of a
low-pressure area at the surface. This low-pressure area intensifies as air
continues to converge and rise, leading to the development of a frontal
depression.
Mature Stage: In this stage, the frontal depression reaches its peak intensity.
The low-pressure system becomes well-defined with a central area of lowest
pressure known as the center or the eye of the cyclone. The weather associated
with a mature frontal depression includes widespread cloud cover, precipitation
(such as rain or snow), and gusty winds. The type and intensity of the weather
can vary depending on the location of the frontal system and the air masses
involved.
Occlusion: As a frontal depression matures, the cold front catches up to the
warm front, leading to the formation of an occluded front. An occluded front is
formed when the cold front overtakes the warm front and lifts the warm air off
the ground, cutting off the warm sector from the surface. This process leads to
the weakening of the frontal depression as the source of warm air is cut off,
and the system starts to lose its intensity.
Dissipation: In the final stage, the frontal depression starts to weaken and
dissipate. The low-pressure system loses its well-defined structure, and the
weather associated with it begins to dissipate. The system may merge with
other weather systems or move out of the area, resulting in the dissipation of
the frontal depression.
Anticyclone
An anticyclone is a weather phenomenon defined as a large-scale circulation of
winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed
from above (opposite to a cyclone).
Dynamic of Anticyclone System

Subsidence: As air converges towards the high-pressure center of an
anticyclone, it descends towards the surface of the Earth. This descending air
is compressed and warmed by adiabatic compression, resulting in subsidence.
Subsidence creates a stable atmospheric condition with a decrease in
moisture content, which leads to clear skies and fair weather.
Divergence: As air subsides towards the surface in an anticyclone, it diverges
or moves outward in a clockwise direction (Northern Hemisphere) or
counterclockwise direction (Southern Hemisphere) due to the Coriolis effect.
This divergence at the upper levels of the atmosphere results in a
compensating inflow of air at the surface, which helps to maintain the high-
pressure system.
High-pressure gradients: Anticyclones are characterized by steep pressure
gradients, with a rapid change in pressure from the center to the periphery.
This results in strong winds blowing clockwise (Northern Hemisphere) or
counterclockwise (Southern Hemisphere) around the high-pressure center. The
strength of the winds depends on the intensity of the pressure gradient, which
is influenced by the strength of the anticyclone and the surrounding weather
patterns.
Inversion: In some cases, anticyclones may develop a temperature inversion,
which is a layer of warm air aloft that acts as a "lid" preventing vertical mixing
of air. This can trap pollutants close to the surface, leading to poor air quality.
Anticyclone movement: Anticyclones can move and change in size and
intensity over time due to various factors such as the movement of weather
systems, changes in the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, and
interactions with other high- and low-pressure systems. The movement of
anticyclones can affect weather conditions in different regions and impact the
development of other weather systems.
Anticyclone System on the weather chart and their associated

conditions
Anticyclones can be identified on weather charts as an often large area of widely
spaced isobars, where pressure is higher than surrounding areas.
The associated conditions with an anticyclone on a weather chart typically

include:
Clear skies: Anticyclones often bring clear weather with minimal cloud cover.
As the high-pressure system sinks and compresses the air, it inhibits the
formation of clouds, resulting in mostly sunny or clear conditions.
Dry weather: Anticyclones tend to bring dry conditions as the sinking air inhibits
the uplift of moist air, which limits the formation of precipitation. This can
result in extended periods of dry weather, with low chances of rain or snow.
Stable conditions: Anticyclones create stable atmospheric conditions as the
descending air suppresses the vertical movement of air. This can result in calm
winds and stable weather patterns, with little or no significant changes in
weather conditions over a period of time.
Temperature inversion: Anticyclones can also cause temperature inversions,
where the air near the surface becomes cooler than the air above it. This can
result in fog or haze formation, especially during the winter months, as the cold
air gets trapped near the ground.
Variable temperatures: While anticyclones are generally associated with fair
weather, the temperatures can vary depending on the season and the location.
In summer, anticyclones can bring hot and dry conditions, while in winter, they
can result in cold and clear weather, leading to frost or freezing temperatures,
especially at night.
Light winds: Anticyclones are typically associated with light winds, as the high-
pressure system creates a stable environment with little vertical motion. This
can result in calm winds or gentle breezes, which can be conducive to outdoor
activities.
Fog: Anticyclones can also be associated with fog, especially during the winter
months, due to the temperature inversions they can cause. Fog can form when
the moist air near the ground is trapped by the stable air of the anticyclone,
resulting in reduced visibility and potential travel disruptions.
Tropical Revolving Storms

Tropical Revolving Storm is an intense rotating depression (a region of low
pressure at the surface) which develops over the tropical oceans. It consists of a
rotating mass of warm and humid air and creates strong winds, thunderstorm ,
heavy rains, very heavy seas and swell etc.
Warning Sign of an approaching Tropical Revolving Storm
Electronic Medium
The Radio/Telex/NAVTEX – A relevant NavArea must be selected for
the message.
EGC- Via Sat- C normally.
Internet based options- If vessel is equipped with internet facility then such
phenomena can be checked 7-8 days in advance through various
government operated sites.
Weather Routing agencies – With dedicated team for the TRS / Storm
watch and have multiple data from reliable sources who can make a better
and accurate assessment of the forecast with suggestion to avoid the TRS.
Swell - When there is no sight of intervening land, the sea might generate swell
within a TRS, indicating an early warning of the formation of the same, the
swell normally travels as far as 500 nm from the center of the storm eye.
Normally, the swell travels outward from the direction of the storm.
Atmospheric pressure - If the corrected barometer reading falls below 5 mb or

more for the mean reading( Information from Sailing Direction) for that time of
the year, you can expect a (Tropical Revolving Storm) TRS and fall is pressure
by 20 mb means vessel is very close to the eye of the storm. The barometer
used must be corrected for latitude, height, temperature etc. to achieve
maximum possible accuracy and efficiency.
Wind - Wind direction and speed is generally fairly constant in the tropics.
Variation from the normal direction for the area and season, and increasing
wind speed, are indications of the approach of a Tropical Revolving Storm, i.e.,
an appreciable change in the direction or strength of the wind indicates a
Tropical Revolving Storm (TRS) in vicinity.
Clouds - A very candid and colorful sky at sunrise and sunset may be a sign of
a brewing TRS. Presence of cirrus clouds is visible at a considerable distance
of 300 to 600 miles from the TRS and as you approach the TRS, the Cirrus
cloud can be in the form of strands or filaments with aligned conditions and
points towards the storm center. Generally followed by cumulus clouds as you
get closer to the Tropical Revolving Storm (TRS).

Frontal Depression

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Frontal Depression

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Frontal Depression

A frontal depression is a low-pressure area formed at the boundary

Formation and Development of Frontal Depression

Frontal Depression different stages

Dynamic of Anticyclone System

Anticyclone System on the weather chart and their associated

The associated conditions with an anticyclone on a weather chart typically

Tropical Revolving Storms

Atmospheric pressure - If the corrected barometer reading falls below 5 mb or

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