Question map
Which one of the following statements is correct?
Explanation
Cold fronts are characterized by the advancement of a cold air mass into a warmer one, creating a steep frontal boundary. Due to the higher density of cold air, it is more difficult for warm air to push cold air across the Earth's surface, making warm fronts move significantly slower. Consequently, cold fronts move at a faster rate, often up to twice as fast as warm fronts. This speed differential allows the cold front to eventually catch up to and overtake the slower-moving warm front [3]. This process leads to the formation of an occluded front, where the warm air mass is completely uplifted from the surface [2]. This sequence is a standard stage in the life cycle of mid-latitude or extratropical cyclones, eventually leading to frontolysis and the dissipation of the system [2].
Sources
- [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 28: Temperate Cyclones > Weather Along an Occluded Front > p. 403
- [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 28: Temperate Cyclones > Cold Front > p. 400