Mid Latitude Cyclones Notes Grade 12

Mid Latitude Cyclones Notes Grade 12: Mid-Latitude cyclones are also known as extra-tropical or frontal cyclones. These weather systems are named for occurring in the middle latitudes of earth. They are classified as large, traveling, cyclonic storms up to 2000 kilometers in diameter with centers of low atmospheric pressure.

Introduction to Mid Latitude Cyclones

These are low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the earth, usually between 30° and 60° latitude north and south of the equator. They are sometimes called temperate cyclones, extra-tropical cyclones, mid-latitude cyclones, frontal depressions or wave cyclones.

The system is made up of a cold front and a warm front. The cold fronts reach South Africa mostly in winter when all the pressure belts and wind systems move slightly north. This is why the south-western Cape receives winter rainfall. The rain is brought by cold fronts passing over this area passing from east to west. The warm front is bent southwards away from South Africa.

Covered on these notes

Stages of Development
Cold Front Conditions
Warm Front Conditions
Cold Front Occlusion
Warm Front Occlusion
Satellite Photo of Mid-Latitude Cyclone
Synoptic Map of Mid-Latitude Cyclone

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Common Questions about Mid Latitude Cyclones

Give seven characteristics of mid latitude cyclone

Move west to east
It has cold front and warm front
Affect south Africa in winter
They occur in families or groups
It has oval isobars
Occur through out the year
Occur between 30-60 degrees North and South
Form between 40 – 60 degrees North and South

Give 4 stages of Mid latitude cyclone

1. Initial stage

Two air mashes do not mix because they separated by front.
A cell of low pressure begins

2 Mature stage

Air moves clockwise in southern hemisphere and anti clockwise in northern hemisphere.
Polar front forms cold and warm front -cold front lead to cold air, area of cold front called cold sector
Warm front lead to warm air , area of warm front lead to warm sector

3 Occluded stage or Occlusion stage

cold front overtakes warm front / warm front overtakes cold front.

4. Dissipating stage / decaying stage

System stars to slow down/ dissipate System become weak it ends.

Name conditions which are necessary for the formation of mid latitude cyclones

Warm ocean waters of at least 78°F (26°C)
At least 5° latitude from the equator;
Low vertical wind shear;
Moisture in the mid-troposphere;
Unstable Conditions ESS5

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