Which front is formed when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass?

Which front is formed when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass?

• A. Cold front
• B. Warm front
• C. Occluded front
• D. Stationary front

Answer: (C)

When a cold air mass catches up to and overtakes a warm air mass, the warm air is lifted off the ground and the boundary becomes an occluded front. The faster cold air wrapping around the warm air creates a front aloft, so you often get mixed cloud layers and precipitation as the warm air cools and is removed from the lower levels. This differs from a cold front (cold air rushing under and lifting warm air at the surface), a warm front (warm air sliding over cooler air), and a stationary front (little movement of either mass). So the situation described forms an occluded front.

When a cold air mass catches up to and overtakes a warm air mass, the warm air is lifted off the ground and the boundary becomes an occluded front. The faster cold air wrapping around the warm air creates a front aloft, so you often get mixed cloud layers and precipitation as the warm air cools and is removed from the lower levels. This differs from a cold front (cold air rushing under and lifting warm air at the surface), a warm front (warm air sliding over cooler air), and a stationary front (little movement of either mass). So the situation described forms an occluded front.