| Term: | Polar front |
| Definition: |
A semipermanent, semicontinuous front that separates tropical air masses from polar air masses. NOAA-NWS
Quasi-permanent front of great extent, in middle latitudes, which separates polar air from tropical air. WMOMeteoterm 1. According to the polar-front theory, the semipermanent, semicontinuous front separating air masses of tropical and polar origin. This is the major front in terms of air mass contrast and susceptibility to cyclonic disturbance. Compare arctic front. 2. In oceanography, see Antarctic Polar Front, Arctic Polar Front. AMSglossary Weather front located typically in the mid-latitudes that separates arctic and polar air masses from tropical air masses. Along the polar front we get the development of the mid-latitude cyclone. Above the polar front exists the polar jet stream. PhysicalGeography GCW |