wave of cold air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of cold air" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden influx of cold air, often in the context of weather changes or meteorological phenomena. Example: "The forecast predicts a wave of cold air moving in from the north, bringing temperatures down significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In winter, occasional waves of cold air from Mongolia sweep southward, injuring tea bushes and fruit trees in northern Hunan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much of the country was locked in the record-breaking freeze as relentless waves of cold air swept down from the high latitudes.

The Washington Post

During winters, temperatures in some areas can drop below freezing due to waves of cold air from Central Asia.

Wikipedia

Earlier studies2 showed that cold waves occur mostly due to the intrusion of cold air from northern latitudes into the northwestern parts of India.

Nature

During boreal winters, cold waves over India are primarily due to transport of cold air from higher latitudes.

Nature

We calculated the 850 hPa horizontal advection of mean observed temperature by mean observed winds (Fig. 2e) to investigate if the cold waves over India are caused by horizontal advection of cold air from higher latitudes.

Nature

When snow cover is more abundant in Siberia, it creates an unusually large dome of cold air next to the mountains, and this amplifies the standing waves in the atmosphere, just as a bigger rock in a stream increases the size of the waves of water flowing by.

The New York Times

On October 16, a depression formed near the Turks and Caicos islands after a tropical wave interacted with the trough, although initially it was not tropical in nature due to the widespread presence of cold air.

Wikipedia

The influx of cold air on top of warm, moist air favours the sort of deep convection that creates powerful storms, turning moisture in the air into water on the ground very efficiently.How might the complex relationship between jet streams and Rossby waves change in a warmer world?

The Economist

A knife blade of cold air keeps prying.

The New Yorker

Occasionally, however, strong bursts of cold air carry cold spells as far south as Hong Kong and Manila.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of cold air" to vividly describe a sudden and noticeable change in temperature, especially when emphasizing the feeling of the cold air washing over an area.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of cold air" to describe slight or gradual temperature decreases. Reserve it for situations where the temperature change is significant and abrupt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of cold air" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It paints a vivid picture of a sudden, sweeping sensation of coldness, similar to how a wave moves through water, affecting the immediate environment.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wave of cold air" is a grammatically sound and descriptive phrase used to portray a sudden and impactful drop in temperature. Although Ludwig did not provide any specific examples, this analysis suggests that it functions as a noun phrase that evokes a strong sensory experience. Consider using more descriptive alternatives if nuance is needed, and avoid overusing it for very slight temperature changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold air surge

Focuses on the rapid and sudden nature of the cold air's arrival, similar to a wave but emphasizing speed.

blast of cold air

Implies a forceful and sudden introduction of cold air, highlighting the intensity of the cold.

influx of cold air

Describes the arrival of cold air in terms of a flowing movement, focusing on the incoming nature of the air.

cold air outbreak

Emphasizes the sudden appearance and spread of cold air over a region, suggesting a more extensive event.

arctic air mass

Highlights the origin and nature of the cold air, indicating a large body of extremely cold air from the Arctic.

cold front passage

Refers to the meteorological phenomenon of a cold front moving through, bringing colder air behind it.

polar vortex intrusion

Indicates an incursion of extremely cold air from the polar vortex, a high-altitude phenomenon.

sudden chill

Simplifies the description to the sensory experience of a sudden drop in temperature.

cold snap

Focuses on the brief period of cold weather, often unexpected or unseasonable.

drop in temperature

Describes the general phenomenon of temperature decreasing, without specific regard to the air's movement.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of cold air" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of cold air" to describe a sudden influx of cold air, for example: "A "wave of cold air" swept through the city overnight, causing temperatures to plummet."

What can I say instead of "wave of cold air"?

You can use alternatives like "cold air surge", "blast of cold air", or "influx of cold air" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "wave of cold" instead of "wave of cold air"?

While understandable, "wave of cold" is less specific and less commonly used than ""wave of cold air"". The latter clearly indicates the medium through which the coldness is experienced.

What's the difference between "wave of cold air" and "cold front"?

A ""wave of cold air"" describes the sensory experience of suddenly feeling cold air, while a "cold front" is a meteorological term for the boundary between two air masses, one cold and one warm.