Using the surface analysis in illustration...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Identify which side of the cold front position A is on (warm side vs cold side) and recall typical weather just ahead of and behind a cold front. • Use the wind barbs drawn near position A to determine the approximate wind direction and speed (direction the wind is coming FROM). • Notice the spacing of the isobars near A to estimate whether winds and seas should be calm, slight, or rough.

💭 Think About

• Is position A in the cold air mass behind the front or the warm, moist air mass ahead of it? How does that usually affect cloud cover and rainfall? • Looking at the wind barb closest to A, from what direction is the wind blowing, and is it closer to 10–15 knots or around 20 knots? • Are isobars around A tightly packed or more widely spaced, and what does that say about wind strength and sea state?

✅ Before You Answer

• Double-check which way the front symbols (triangles/semicircles) point; that tells you which way the front is moving and which side is warm vs cold. • Confirm the wind direction at A from the wind barb before choosing an answer; eliminate any choice with a clearly wrong direction. • Compare the expected weather behind a cold front (after passage) with the options, especially looking for clues like “heavy rain” vs “partly cloudy.”

Using the surface analysis in illustration D049NG below, what weather conditions would you expect to find at position A?

winds SW-S at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas

Winds calm, light rain, and calm seas

Winds NW-W at 15 knots, partly cloudy, and slight seas

Winds NE-E at 20 knots, heavy rain, and rough seas

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer