Frontolysis Identification

Frontolysis is the weakening of an existing front.  In extreme 
cases, the front could cease to exist all together. Frontolysis 
is just the opposite of frontogenesis. 

Thickness Isopleth Gradient.  
Use the same comparison methods as frontogenesis to find 
frontolysis but look for the exact opposite indicators.  For 
example: if the thickness isopleths are more loosely spaced on 
the current 1000-500 mb thickness chart than those of the 
previous chart are, frontolysis has occurred.  

Isotherm Gradients.  
If the isotherms on the current surface chart are now more 
loosely spaced than the previous surface chart, frontolysis 
has occurred.  This would imply that there is less temperature 
advection than on the previous chart, thus the temperature 
contrast of the two air masses is not as strong as it had once 
been.

Isobar Gradients.  
Weakening of the isobar gradient could indicate frontolysis.  
Isobars are now more loosely spaced than previous chart.  There 
is a noticeable decrease in cyclonic curvature as gradient 
weakens.

Frontal Inversions.  
When a frontal inversion weakens or becomes less pronounced, 
it indicates that the temperature contrast is also weakening.  
Therefore, if the current Skew-T has a less pronounced inversion 
than the previous Skew-T, frontolysis may be occurring.