Why does a warm front move more slowly than a cold front?

A warm front moves more slowly than a cold front primarily because it is characterized by warm, less dense air rising over a denser, cooler air mass. As this warm air ascends, it does so gradually and often leads to widespread cloud formation and precipitation over a larger area. The gradual uplift associated with warm fronts results in a more extended transition period where temperature and pressure changes occur.

In contrast, cold fronts tend to move faster due to the dynamics of cold air, which is denser and can push underneath the warmer air, causing rapid lifting. This swift movement is often associated with sharper weather changes and more intense but brief storms. The physiology of the air masses and their interactions dictate the speed of their respective fronts, leading to the observed slower progression of warm fronts compared to cold fronts.