What would typically indicate a cold front approaching?

A cold front typically signifies a shift in weather conditions and can be identified by some key indicators. The presence of sudden drops in temperature is a hallmark characteristic, as cold air moves in, displacing warmer air ahead of it. This transition can often lead to the development of thunderstorms due to the lifting of warm, moist air that is forced upward as the cold front advances.

When a cold front approaches, the rapid change in temperature can also trigger unstable atmospheric conditions, enhancing the likelihood of precipitation. Therefore, thunderstorms are frequently associated with the passage of a cold front as cooler air replaces warmer air, resulting in a not only temperature decline but also turbulence and convective activity in the atmosphere.

Other options mention conditions that are generally associated with different meteorological phenomena. For instance, cloudy skies and rising temperatures are more indicative of warm fronts, while consistent temperatures align with stable weather patterns, which don't typically occur during the movement of a cold front. Rising barometric pressure with sunshine suggests improving weather, which is not characteristic of the impending arrival of a cold front.