Atmospheric stability is defined as the resistance of the atmosphere to vertical motion.
A stable atmosphere resists any upward or downward movement.
An unstable atmosphere allows an upward or downward movement to grow into a vertical convective current.
Some of the characteristics of unstable air are
Cumuliform clouds
Showery precipitation
Rough air
Turbulence
Good visibility
Characteristics of stable air are
Stratiform clouds
Fog
Continous precipitation
Smooth air
Fair to poor visibility
Determing the stability of the atmosphere requires measuring the difference between the actual existing temperature lapse rate of a given parcel of air and
the dry adiabatic lapse rate which is 3 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet.
