What characterizes katabatic winds?

Katabatic winds are characterized by the movement of high-density air down a slope. These winds typically occur when cold air, which is denser than the surrounding air, accumulates at higher elevations. When the cold air becomes heavy enough, it starts to flow downhill under the influence of gravity. This process is often intensified in mountainous areas or glaciers where cold air is trapped at high altitudes.

As the dense air descends, it can accelerate due to the effect of gravity and may lead to significantly lower temperatures at the base of the slope. Katabatic winds are especially common in polar regions and can influence local weather patterns by bringing colder air to lower elevations. The temperature inversion typically found in these scenarios is what helps maintain this cold dense air layer at altitude, allowing it to flow downwards.

Other choices do not accurately describe katabatic winds. For instance, winds carrying low-density air upwards refer to a different phenomenon; warm air rises due to its lower density compared to cooler air. Winds that blow in warm weather or create weather fronts also pertain to different meteorological processes rather than the specific characteristics of katabatic winds.