FRONTOLYSIS 

Frontolysis, or the dissipation of a front, occurs when either the temperature difference between the two air masses disappears or the wind carries the air particles of the air mass away from each other. Frontolytical processes are more com-mon in the atmosphere than are frontogenetical processes. This comes about because there is no known property of the air which is conservative with respect to all the physical or dynamical pro-cesses of the atmosphere.

Frontolytical processes are most effective in the lower layers of the atmosphere since surface heating and turbulent mixing are the most intense of the nonconservative influences on temperature.

Figure 4-2-4.Perpendicular deformation field.





Figure 4-2-5.Nonperpendicular deformation field.

For frontolysis to occur, only one of the two conditions stated above need be met. The simultaneous happening of both conditions results in more rapid frontoloysis than if only one fac-tor were operative. The shape and curvature of the isobars also give valuable indications of frontolysis and frontogenesis, and, therefore, possible cyclolysis or cyclogenesis. l On a cold front, anticyclonically curved isobars behind the front indicate that the FRONT is slow moving and therefore exposed to frontogenesis.

. Cyclonically curved isobars in the cold air behind the cold front indicate that the front is fast moving and exposed to frontolysis. On the warm fronts the converse is true.

. Anticyclonically curved isobars in advance of the warm front indicate the front is fast mov-ing and exposed to frontolysis.

. With cyclonically curved isobars the warm front is retarded and exposed to frontogenesis.

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