What is a typical characteristic of a stable air mass?

What is a typical characteristic of a stable air mass?

• A. Intermittent gusty winds
• B. Continuous precipitation
• C. Cumulonimbus clouds
• D. Clear night skies

Answer: (B)

A typical characteristic of a stable air mass is the presence of clear night skies. Stability in an air mass means that the air is not prone to vertical movement, which leads to limited cloud formation and precipitation. When an air mass is stable, it typically promotes settled weather conditions, allowing for clearer skies during the night as there is not much atmospheric activity disrupting the calm. On the other hand, intermittent gusty winds, continuous precipitation, and cumulonimbus clouds are often associated with unstable air masses. Unstable conditions lead to turbulence and can result in the development of storms and clouds, which are contrary to the characteristics of a stable air mass. Thus, clear night skies are indicative of the stability of the air mass, as they reflect a lack of significant weather disturbances.

A typical characteristic of a stable air mass is the presence of clear night skies. Stability in an air mass means that the air is not prone to vertical movement, which leads to limited cloud formation and precipitation. When an air mass is stable, it typically promotes settled weather conditions, allowing for clearer skies during the night as there is not much atmospheric activity disrupting the calm.

On the other hand, intermittent gusty winds, continuous precipitation, and cumulonimbus clouds are often associated with unstable air masses. Unstable conditions lead to turbulence and can result in the development of storms and clouds, which are contrary to the characteristics of a stable air mass. Thus, clear night skies are indicative of the stability of the air mass, as they reflect a lack of significant weather disturbances.