Based on the observations in the table, the best explanation for the student's observations is: A cold front moved into the area.
Here's the reasoning:
- The observation of "sunny and warm" indicates that the day likely had a warm air mass present.
- The "cloudy and rainy" observation suggests that the weather conditions were changing, typically associated with a cold front.
- The "drop in temperature" reinforces the idea that a cold air mass replaced the warmer air mass, characteristic of a cold front.
- Finally, the "clear skies and cold temperatures" indicates that the cold front has passed, leading to clearer weather.
Therefore, the pattern observed aligns with the movement of a cold front.