What defines a stationary front?

A stationary front is characterized by a situation where a cold front and a warm front are in a state of equilibrium, meaning neither front is advancing. This occurs when the air masses on either side of the front are relatively equal in strength, preventing either one from overtaking the other. The result is a prolonged period where weather conditions can remain steady for an extended time, often leading to clouds and precipitation.

In contrast, a stationary front implies that there is no significant movement in either direction, which is not the case with warm fronts overtaking cold fronts or warm fronts pushing against a stationary cold front. Understanding this concept is essential for analyzing weather patterns related to fronts and their influence on local weather conditions.