What is a characteristic of stable air?

A characteristic of stable air is the presence of stratiform clouds. In stable air conditions, the atmosphere resists vertical motion, leading to a layer of clouds that form in a more uniform manner horizontally. Stratiform clouds, such as stratus or nimbostratus, are generally thin and spread out across the sky, often resulting in overcast conditions.

This type of cloud formation is indicative of stable air because it typically forms when moist air is under a cooler layer, thus preventing significant vertical movement and turbulence. The result is a more stable atmosphere that favors steady, layered cloud formations rather than the puffy, vertically-developed clouds associated with unstable air, like cumulus clouds.

While unlimited visibility can sometimes occur in stable air, it is not a definitive characteristic, as visibility can be restricted by other factors such as humidity or precipitation. Similarly, rapid temperature changes and cumulus clouds are generally associated with more turbulent, unstable air rather than stable conditions.