When two air masses meet, they form a boundary called a front. Fronts can be classified into different types, typically as warm fronts, cold fronts, stationary fronts, or occluded fronts.
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Warm Fronts - These occur when a warm air mass moves into an area occupied by a colder air mass. The warm air rises over the cold air, which can lead to gradual changes in weather, often resulting in longer periods of precipitation.
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Cold Fronts - These occur when a cold air mass moves into an area occupied by a warmer air mass. Cold fronts generally move faster than warm fronts and can cause more dramatic weather changes, including thunderstorms and short bursts of heavy rain followed by clearer skies.
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Stationary Fronts - These form when two air masses meet but neither is strong enough to replace the other. This can lead to prolonged periods of cloudy, wet weather.
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Occluded Fronts - These occur when a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm air mass off the ground. This can lead to complex weather patterns and is often associated with low-pressure systems.
Each type of front is characterized by its associated weather conditions and temperature changes, generally referred to as the response area (the area affected by the front).