What is the typical behavior of cold air masses in relation to warm air?

The typical behavior of cold air masses in relation to warm air is characterized by their movement and displacement of the warmer air. Cold air is denser than warm air; as a result, when a cold air mass encounters warm air, it tends to move in to displace that warmer air. This displacement often leads to specific weather phenomena, such as the formation of fronts.

When cold air moves into a region of warm air, it can push the warm air upward, leading to cooling and potentially creating clouds and precipitation. This behavior is fundamental in understanding weather patterns and systems. Because of the differences in density, cold air masses exert a pronounced influence on weather changes compared to warmer air, which tends to rise due to its lesser density.

The other options do not accurately describe the interaction between cold and warm air masses: cold air does not commonly rise above warm air, they do not combine equally, and they certainly have significant effects on warm air behavior and movement. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for interpreting weather systems and forecasting.