What happens during the formation of an occluded front?

The formation of an occluded front occurs when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass, effectively isolating the warm air mass from the surface. This process typically happens in mid-latitude cyclone systems where two types of cold air masses converge and lift the warm air above them.

As the cold air overtakes the warm air, it creates a situation where the warm air is no longer in direct contact with the Earth's surface. The warm air is pushed upward, leading to the development of cloudiness and precipitation. This is a key feature of occluded fronts, as they are associated with complex weather patterns and can result in various weather phenomena, including rain, thunderstorms, and changes in temperature.

While other options describe different interactions between air masses, they do not accurately depict the specific process involved in occluded front formation, which uniquely involves the overtaking of one air mass by another and the subsequent isolation of the warm air.