What happens to the air masses at a stationary front?

At a stationary front, air masses on either side of the boundary remain in place without significant movement towards each other. This occurs when two air masses of different temperatures and densities meet but neither one is strong enough to push the other out of the way. As a result, the air masses do not mix significantly and instead retain their distinct characteristics.

The stationary nature of this front often leads to enduring weather patterns, where the same weather effects can persist over a period of time. This lack of movement can sometimes cause prolonged overcast skies or steady precipitation if one of the air masses contains moisture. The fact that there is no dominant movement toward a warm or cold front helps to reinforce the idea that the air masses stay separate and lead to stable, yet sometimes stagnant, weather conditions.