What are the characteristics of stable air?

Stable air is characterized by a vertical temperature profile that resists upward motion, resulting in certain weather patterns. In stable air conditions, the atmosphere tends to be more subdued and does not promote significant vertical mixing. This leads to several distinct characteristics.

One of the key features of stable air is the presence of low, layered clouds, such as stratus clouds. These clouds form under stable conditions and often bring about steady precipitation rather than the more turbulent, intermittent showers found in unstable air. Additionally, when stable air is present, visibility can be poor, particularly if the air is humid; low clouds and fog can limit how far one can see.

The combination of these attributes—poor visibility, steady precipitation, and the formation of stratus clouds—accurately describes the behavior of stable air. These conditions are a result of limited vertical motion, which prevents the development of towering cumulus clouds commonly associated with instability.

This understanding aligns accurately with the characteristics of stable air and is reflected correctly in the choice affirmatively linked to its stable conditions.