What characterizes a stationary front in meteorology?

A stationary front is characterized by a boundary that separates two air masses that are in relative equilibrium, meaning they are not actively moving towards each other. This results in little or no movement of the front itself, leading to prolonged periods of weather conditions influenced by the two air masses.

When a stationary front is established, neither the warm nor the cold air mass is strong enough to displace the other, which can result in extended periods of cloudy or rainy weather as moisture is lifted along the boundary. This can lead to steady precipitation, but typically not to violent storms. The concept of equal air masses gives insight into why the front remains stationary, as they exert similar pressure.

The other scenarios outlined do not accurately represent the characteristics of a stationary front. For instance, a boundary where two air masses are moving towards each other describes a different frontal interaction typically associated with active fronts. A fast-moving cold front overpowering a warm front indicates a cold front, which is distinctly different from a stationary front. Lastly, weather patterns resulting in only storms imply a more chaotic and dynamic situation, whereas stationary fronts are marked by stability in the air masses involved.