American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Stable air is primarily characterized by its resistance to vertical movement. In meteorology, stable air tends to remain in place and does not easily ascend or descend. This stability occurs when the environmental lapse rate is less than the adiabatic lapse rate, meaning that the temperature decreases with height at a slower rate than in unstable conditions. As a result, any vertical motion that might occur in stable air is suppressed, which inhibits the development of clouds and severe weather phenomena.

When air is stable, it can lead to clear skies and calm conditions, as the air cannot easily rise to form larger cumulus clouds or storms. This is in contrast to unstable air, which promotes active vertical movement, leading to storm formation and turbulence. Stable air can also prevent the mixing of different air layers, maintaining a more uniform temperature profile.

Thus, the primary characteristic of stable air is its resistance to vertical movement, impacting weather and atmospheric conditions significantly.