What is the primary characteristic of a warm front?

A warm front is primarily characterized by a gradual increase in temperature as warmer air advances and gradually replaces the cooler air. As this warmer, moist air rises over the cooler air ahead of the front, it cools and condenses, forming clouds that can lead to extensive overcast skies and precipitation. This process typically results in long-lasting rain or drizzle.

The gradual temperature rise associated with a warm front often contrasts with the abrupt changes seen with other types of fronts. For instance, cold fronts may result in sudden temperature drops, while warm fronts generally create a more stable atmospheric transition, which contributes to the steady precipitation seen often in such weather patterns. This transition contributes to the cloud formation and precipitation that align with the characteristics of a warm front.