FAA Ground School Practice Test

Steady precipitation preceding a front is an indication of:

1. Turbulent winds and clear skies

2. Stratiform clouds with little or no turbulence

3. Cumulonimbus clouds

4. Dry air masses

The correct answer is: Stratiform clouds with little or no turbulence

Steady precipitation that occurs before the arrival of a front is primarily associated with stratiform clouds. These clouds generally cover large areas and produce uniform, steady rain, rather than the intermittent or heavy rain associated with convective clouds like cumulonimbus. The gradual nature of the precipitation indicates that the atmosphere is stable, which typically leads to little or no turbulence. In contrast, options involving turbulent winds or heavy cloud types do not accurately describe the steady precipitation typical of a warm front. Likewise, dry air masses would not lead to precipitation at all, making those options unsuitable in this context. Therefore, associating steady precipitation with stratiform clouds and minimal turbulence is the most accurate reflection of meteorological principles regarding frontal systems.