FAA Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH)WeatherMedium
A weather briefing indicates an occluded front along the route where a fast-moving cold front has overtaken a slower-moving warm front, forcing the warm air aloft. Which weather is typically associated with a cold-type occlusion?
- ASteady light rain only, with no turbulence or convective activity
- BFog forming exclusively behind the occluded front
- CClear skies with no significant weather along the boundary
- DWeather similar to a cold front, with cumuliform clouds and showers
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Weather similar to a cold front, with cumuliform clouds and showers
In a cold-type occlusion, the overtaking cold air is colder than the air ahead of the warm front, so it slides under both air masses, producing weather similar to a cold front—cumuliform clouds, showers, and possible thunderstorms. Occluded fronts generally bring a mix of both warm and cold front weather characteristics.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Cold-type occlusions can produce convective, showery weather, not just steady light rain.
- B. Fog is not the defining characteristic; cumuliform clouds and showers are.
- C. Occlusions typically bring significant, often complex weather, not clear skies.
Occluded Front
Forms when a fast-moving cold front catches up to and overtakes a slower warm front, lifting the warm air mass off the surface. Can be a cold-type or warm-type occlusion depending on relative air mass temperatures.
- Cold-type occlusion: coldest air undercuts, weather resembles cold front
- Warm-type occlusion: overtaking air is less cold, weather resembles warm front
- Often brings complex, prolonged precipitation and cloud patterns
Memory trick: Occlusion = a fast cold front tackling a slow warm front from behind