Front decay
Mesoscale areas of cloud dissolution within frontal cloud bands driven by sinking cold air on the anticyclonic side of a jet streak.
The conceptual model Front Decay describes a mesoscale dissipation of clouds within a Cold Front. Here parts of the frontal clouds disappear due to several reasons. In general, the conveyor belt concept provides an excellent explanation for the decay of cloudiness within a frontal cloud band. A distinction can be made between cases with rising and sinking warm conveyor belts. In the case of a rising warm conveyor belt any gap within the frontal cloud band will probably close again, while in case of a sinking warm conveyor belt a complete dissipation of cloud in the IR imagery is probable. Front decay can also be caused by other processes such as deformation (elongation) of the frontal cloud band. Often Front Decay happens during the development of the CM of Rapid Cyclogenesis.