FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

How is the wind movement characterized at a cold front?

1. They move at twice the speed of the warm air mass

2. They stall and become stationary

3. They move at about the speed of the wind component perpendicular to the front

4. They shift to a southerly direction

The correct answer is: They move at about the speed of the wind component perpendicular to the front

Wind movement at a cold front is characterized by its speed being related to the wind component perpendicular to the front. At a cold front, cold, dense air is advancing towards warmer, lighter air. As the cold air pushes into the warm air, it forces the warm air to rise, leading to a sharp change in weather conditions. This type of front generally moves quickly, and the wind associated with it tends to flow perpendicular to the front's orientation. This is particularly important for understanding the rapidly changing weather conditions that can accompany cold fronts, such as thunderstorms and heavy precipitation. The nature of the wind movement is crucial for aircraft dispatchers to anticipate weather impacts on flight operations. Some of the other choices do not accurately capture the nature of wind movement at a cold front. For example, winds do not stall; they are actively moving as the cold front advances. Additionally, while winds can shift direction, it's not accurate to specifically define that shift as solely to a southerly direction; the movement can vary based on the geographical context and overall atmospheric dynamics. Therefore, recognizing the wind's relation to the perpendicular component to the front provides a more accurate understanding of cold front dynamics.