What weather phenomena are typically associated with a warm front?

Warm fronts are associated with gradual changes in weather conditions as warm air replaces colder air. The correct response highlights that when a warm front approaches, it generally leads to extended periods of precipitation and an increase in cloud cover.

As the warm air rises over the denser cold air, it cools and condenses, forming clouds which can lead to steady, prolonged rain. The types of clouds typically observed with warm fronts include stratiform clouds, which cover the sky and produce significant moisture. These conditions often precede the actual arrival of the warm air mass, making it essential for pilots and weather observers to understand this relationship.

The other options present scenarios that do not accurately reflect the typical characteristics of a warm front. Thunderstorms and heavy winds are more closely associated with cold fronts. Clear skies and dry conditions would occur in the wake of a warm front, after the precipitation has passed. A slight temperature drop followed by rain is not a typical signature of a warm front; instead, it suggests a different atmospheric scenario, usually linked to a cold front passage.