What is an occluded front?

An occluded front is a phenomenon in meteorology that occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front. This process leads to the warm air being lifted off the ground as the colder, denser air from the cold front moves in and pushes the warmer air upward. As a result, the warm front is no longer in contact with the ground, which is a key characteristic of an occluded front.

The significance of this type of front lies in its association with different weather patterns. When an occluded front forms, it often leads to the development of clouds and precipitation. The interactions between the air masses can result in complex weather systems, including the potential for storms. This distinguishes occluded fronts from other types of fronts, where warm and cold air simply interact with each other without one overtaking the other.

The other options describe different types of fronts or atmospheric conditions and do not accurately depict the nature of an occluded front. The definition provided aligns well with meteorological terminology and can be observed in various weather patterns in diverse regions. Understanding occluded fronts is vital for interpreting weather reports and predicting changes in atmospheric conditions.