As the warm air is forced upward, water vapor condenses into clouds and rain, which can sometimes be heavy along the front. A cold front, noted on weather maps by this symbol, is often characterized by quick changes and steady precipitation, followed by showery precipitation. Warm front A warm front has warm, moist air behind it that rises over the colder air it encounters. Rain may fall behind the front as the warm, rising air condenses. Stationary front Stationary fronts occur where warm and cold air meet but neither wins out.
Unsettled weather can occur over a wide area near the frontal boundary.
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