FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)WeatherMedium
A weather briefing indicates a warm front approaching the operating area from the west. The briefer describes widespread stratus clouds, low ceilings, and steady light precipitation extending well ahead of the surface front's position. This weather pattern is characteristic of which type of front?
- AWarm front
- BCold front
- COccluded front
- DStationary front
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Warm front
A warm front has a shallow, gradually sloping boundary that pushes widespread stratiform clouds and steady precipitation far ahead of the surface position, often reducing visibility and ceilings over a large area for hours before passage. Cold fronts have a steep slope producing a narrower band of showers or thunderstorms that move through quickly.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Cold fronts are steep and produce a narrow band of more intense, faster-moving weather, not widespread advance precipitation.
- C. An occluded front combines cold and warm front characteristics and forms when a cold front overtakes a warm front.
- D. A stationary front shows little to no movement, unlike the approaching front described here.
Warm Front
A boundary where warmer air advances and rises gradually over cooler air, producing widespread stratiform clouds and steady precipitation well ahead of the surface position.
- Gentle slope compared to cold fronts
- Produces low ceilings, reduced visibility, and steady precipitation
- Passage brings warming temperatures and often a wind shift
Memory trick: 'Warm front = Wide, gentle Wave of clouds rolling in far ahead.'