What is a characteristic of stable air?

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Stable air is characterized by a layered structure, often leading to steady conditions in the atmosphere. This stability typically results in stratus-type clouds, where clouds are more uniform and spread out horizontally, as opposed to the vertical development seen in unstable air, which can produce cumulus clouds and associated turbulence.

In stable air, precipitation tends to be steady and light, often associated with persistent cloud cover rather than the heavy, convective downpours associated with unstable air. This layered nature and constant precipitation can lead to low stratus clouds, which contribute to limited vertical development but good horizontal visibility below the cloud layer in some cases.

The other characteristics often relate to unstable air. For instance, frequent thunderstorms and rapid wind changes are indicative of unstable atmospheric conditions, where there is strong vertical motion and turbulence. Low visibility can also occur in unstable air due to rapidly changing weather conditions and cloud formations. Therefore, steady precipitation and stratus-type clouds signify the presence of stable air, making this the correct choice.

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