Rules to Live By

Keep These Points in Mind:

• An air mass is a body of air with similar temperature and moisture characteristics throughout.
• A front is the boundary between two different air masses.
• High pressure systems tend to produce hazy conditions and few or no storms.
• Low pressure systems tend to produce stormy weather.
• The weather that occurs at the front is dependent on the temperature, moisture, and stability in the area.
• Temperature and pressure differences can be significant on either side of a front.
• Hazardous weather associated with fronts can include thunderstorms, icing, low ceilings/visibilities, and wind/turbulence.
• Forecasts are educated guesses, not guarantees.
• Compare the forecast to actual conditions and pay attention to trends.
• ATC, flight service, and onboard datalink technology are excellent in-flight weather resources to help assess if and how conditions are changing. Use them strategically, not tactically.