What occurs when cold air catches up with a warm front?

When cold air catches up with a warm front, it leads to the formation of an occluded front. An occluded front occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, causing the warm air to be lifted off the ground. This interaction happens when the faster-moving cold air mass moves into the area of the slower-moving warm air mass, pushing it upward.

The process results in a complex weather scenario where the warm air is completely lifted from the surface. The lifting mechanism often leads to cloud formation and can produce various weather conditions, including precipitation.

The atmospheric dynamics at play during this process involve the temperature and pressure differences between the air masses, contributing to changes in weather patterns. This lifting action creates fronts where different air masses collide, with the occluded front being distinct because it signifies that the warm air is no longer in contact with the ground, leading to unique weather phenomena.