The diagram below shows the development of a warm front.

Question

Modified from image courtesy of NWS/NOAA

Which of the following best describes what is happening in the diagram?
A.
A cold air mass is pushing into a warm air mass that is behind another cold air mass.
B.
A cold air mass is colliding with and sliding under a warm air mass.
C.
A cold air mass and a warm air mass are stationary at a front boundary.
D.
A warm air mass is colliding with and riding over a cold air mass.

Answer 1

The best description of what is happening in the diagram depicting the development of a warm front is:

D. A warm air mass is colliding with and riding over a cold air mass.

In a warm front, warm air rises over the colder, denser air mass. This process often leads to the formation of clouds and precipitation along the boundary between the two air masses.