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What temperature-related discontinuity is associated with a cold front?

  1. Constant temperatures across the boundary

  2. Cold air advances and overtakes warm air

  3. Warm air continues to rise uniformly

  4. Warm air remains stationary

The correct answer is: Cold air advances and overtakes warm air

The question revolves around the characteristics of a cold front and the associated temperature changes. Cold fronts are defined by the movement of air masses; specifically, a cold front occurs when a mass of cold air moves in and advances on a mass of warmer air. In a cold front scenario, the cold air is denser than the warm air, which causes the cold air to force the warm air to rise rapidly. As this warm air ascends, it cools, and this lifting can lead to various weather phenomena, such as clouds and precipitation. This process creates a significant temperature discontinuity, as there is a noticeable drop in temperature when transitioning from the warm air ahead of the front to the colder air mass behind it. The other options do not accurately characterize the behavior of air during a cold front. The description of constant temperatures across the boundary suggests no change, which is not the case in cold fronts. The idea of warm air rising uniformly misrepresents the effect of a cold front, where warm air is lifted sharply and not in a uniform manner, leading to instability and potential storm development. Lastly, warm air remaining stationary does not describe the dynamic interaction where the advancing cold air actively forces the warm air upward. Therefore, the correct understanding of