Compare and contrast what happens to the air masses during a cold front and during a warm front.
During a cold front, a cold air mass will move in and push up against a warm air mass. The cold air mass is denser and will force the warm air mass to rise rapidly, creating instability in the atmosphere. This rapid lifting of warm air can result in the formation of clouds, thunderstorms, and precipitation. The cold air mass will replace the warm air mass, resulting in cooler temperatures and clearer skies once the front passes.
During a warm front, a warm air mass moves in and pushes up against a cold air mass. The warm air mass is less dense and will gradually rise over the cold air mass. This lifting is more gradual and less intense than that which occurs during a cold front. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and precipitation over a longer period of time. The warm air mass will eventually replace the cold air mass, resulting in rising temperatures and potentially humid conditions once the front passes.
In summary, during a cold front, a cold air mass quickly displaces a warm air mass, resulting in rapid lifting of warm air, instability, and potentially severe weather. In contrast, during a warm front, a warm air mass gradually replaces a cold air mass, leading to gradual lifting of warm air, and the formation of clouds and precipitation over a longer period of time.