Which characteristics define a cold air mass moving over a warm surface?

Prepare for the Commercial Ground – Weather Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions, featuring detailed hints and explanations for each question. Ace your exam with confidence!

A cold air mass moving over a warm surface creates favorable conditions for the development of cumulus clouds and increased turbulence. As the warm surface heats the cold air mass above it, the air becomes less stable, leading to the formation of cumulus clouds. These clouds can develop rapidly and often result in turbulent conditions due to the mixing of warm and cold air. Furthermore, during this process, visibility tends to remain good in the absence of significant moisture or additional weather systems.

The ideal scenario for cumulus cloud formation includes enough warmth from the underlying surface to initiate convection in the colder air mass, promoting upward movement and cloud growth without the presence of excessive moisture that would otherwise lead to obscured visibility.

The other characteristics presented in the incorrect options involve conditions that are not characteristic of a cold air mass over a warm surface. For instance, stratiform clouds are generally associated with stable air masses, which is contrary to the potentially turbulent state created when a colder air mass interacts with warmer ground temperatures.

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