FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

What type of weather is typically associated with stationary fronts?

1. Severe thunderstorms

2. Days of overcast weather with drizzle

3. Clear and sunny conditions

4. Rapid temperature shifts

The correct answer is: Days of overcast weather with drizzle

Stationary fronts are characterized by a boundary that divides two different air masses, where neither air mass is strong enough to replace the other. This situation often leads to prolonged periods of cloudiness and precipitation. The air masses involved typically have distinct temperature and humidity characteristics, but since the front is stationary, neither air mass can dominate. The weather patterns associated with stationary fronts tend to result in days of overcast skies accompanied by light rain or drizzle. This occurs because the warm, moist air is forced to rise over the cooler air mass, leading to cloud formation and, subsequently, precipitation. This can lead to extended periods of wet, dreary weather without the dramatic shifts typically associated with other types of fronts. In contrast, the other types of weather phenomena mentioned would not typically occur with stationary fronts: severe thunderstorms are more associated with cold fronts, clear conditions are associated with high pressure systems or warm fronts that have already passed, and rapid temperature shifts are characteristic of passages of active cold or warm fronts rather than stationary fronts. Thus, the presence of overcast weather with drizzle is a hallmark of stationary front conditions.