What is it called when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass?

When a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass, the phenomenon is referred to as a cold front. In this scenario, the denser cold air pushes underneath the lighter warm air, causing the warm air to rise rapidly. This process often leads to the development of clouds and precipitation, and can result in thunderstorms and severe weather conditions.

Cold fronts typically move faster than warm fronts, and the change in temperature associated with a cold front is often quite dramatic, leading to a noticeable drop in temperature as the cold air mass displaces the warm air. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting weather patterns and conditions. Other terms like warm front or stationary front refer to different interactions between air masses and are not applicable in this case.