stationary front

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. a front between warm and cold air masses that is moving very slowly or not at all.

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stationary front Scientific  

/ stā′shə-nĕr′ē /

1. A transition zone between two nearly stationary air masses of different density.

2. See more at front

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Etymology

Origin of stationary front

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The West will remain active with rain and mountain snow this week, and rain and storms will pop up along a stationary front draped across the southern Plains.

From Fox News • Nov. 2, 2021

Gentle but persistent and deep winds from the east-southeast were lifted over the stationary front, triggering the eruption of the storm complex on the northwestern side of the front.

From Washington Post • Sep. 17, 2021

Unlike the stationary front lines and trenches on the Western Front, the war in the east was one of movement.

From Slate • Nov. 27, 2018

"Until now the area was socked in by a long stationary front with cloud cover," the official said.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2012

A line with triangles and semicircles on one side indicates an occluded front, which is formed when a cold front overtakes a warm or stationary front.

From Time Magazine Archive