What phenomenon causes a massive, synchronized exodus of warblers northward after a cold front passes?
Answer
The "Post-Frontal Push" effect
The "Post-Frontal Push" effect describes a key predictive dynamic in daily warbler movement. When a cold front moves through an area, it acts to stall or halt the migration process, causing the accumulating warblers to stack up directly behind the frontal line. Once the front breaks, the weather clears, and this stored energy results in a massive, synchronized departure northward. The most opportune time for viewing this exodus is the morning immediately following the frontal passage, particularly in areas that still provide good protective cover for the recently stalled migrants.
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