FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

What type of front would you expect to lead to an occluded front?

1. A stationary front

2. A warm front

3. A cold front

4. A maritime front

The correct answer is: A cold front

An occluded front forms when a cold front overtakes a warm front. In this process, the colder air mass forces the warmer air mass to rise, leading to the development of clouds and precipitation. Specifically, when the faster-moving cold front catches up to the warm front, it leads to the cold air displacing the warm air upwards. This results in the warm air being trapped between two colder air masses, which characterizes an occluded front. The presence of a cold front is essential for occlusion since it provides the mechanism for the warm air to be lifted, setting the stage for the formation of the occluded front. Understanding this interaction is crucial for predicting weather patterns associated with occluded fronts, including varied precipitation and changes in temperature as the front moves through an area.