Use the table to answer the question.

Question

Day Observations
1 sunny and warm
2 cloudy and rainy
3 drop in temperature
4 clear skies and cold temperatures
A student tracks the daily weather. The student’s observations are logged in the table. Which factor in the atmosphere best explains the student’s observations?

(1 point)
Responses

A warm air mass replaced a cold air mass.
A warm air mass replaced a cold air mass.

A cold front moved into the area.
A cold front moved into the area.

High levels of moisture are contained within an air mass.
High levels of moisture are contained within an air mass.

A warm front moved into the area.
A warm front moved into the area.

Answer 1

Based on the observations logged in the table, the most appropriate explanation for the changes in weather is:

A cold front moved into the area.

This is supported by the observation of a "drop in temperature" on Day 3, followed by "clear skies and cold temperatures" on Day 4, which typically occurs when a cold front advances and replaces a warm air mass, leading to a drop in temperatures. The occurrences of "cloudy and rainy" conditions on Day 2 also align with the passage of a cold front, which can bring precipitation before the clearer weather settles in.