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Old 12-09-2009, 07:16 PM
  #10  
gestrich1311
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Joined APC: Dec 2009
Posts: 15
Default Hot to Cold look out below

I read this forum but still am a little uncertain why the statement "Hot to cold look out below" is true. It seems contrary to what you would expect. I don't think the PHAK explains it very well or at least I am not getting it. There was an illustration previously posted from the PHAK above but I would like to make sure my interpretation of the illustration is correct.

Is it because in colder air, the pressure decreases with altitude more abruptly (faster rate) resulting in a "tighter stack" of pressure change? Therefore when encountering colder air, you will descend to stay at the same indicated altitude? That makes sense to me but I am not sure if it is correct.

The PHAK's explanation is that this occurs because cold air is more dense but I am not sure that really explains it.
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