Why do some cold fronts produce severe storms, and others no rain at all?
The rain associated with a cold front is typically the result of cold air undercutting warm, moist air and forcing it up, with the warm air typically ascending over the cold air. This type of cold front is called an anafront. Because of the forceful lifting of the warm air, thunderstorms are often the result of an advancing cold front. Sometimes, the front becomes so steep that warm air ascends on a forward tilt, with any precipitation occurring well ahead of the front. In this instance, the front would pass with little or no rain produced. This type of cold front is called a katafront. Learn more about katafronts on this USA TODAY resource page.
