FAA Part 107 Drone Practice Test

What features are typically seen in stable air?

1. Cumuliform clouds, turbulence, and good visibility

2. Stratiform clouds, fog, and steady precipitation

3. Clear skies with no clouds

4. High winds and significant turbulence

The correct answer is: Stratiform clouds, fog, and steady precipitation

The characteristics of stable air typically include stratiform clouds, fog, and steady precipitation. In stable air, the atmosphere resists vertical motion, leading to a more uniform layer of air. This stability often results in the formation of stratiform clouds, which are flat and layered, creating overcast conditions. Fog can occur in stable air as surface cooling overnight leads to the saturation of air near the ground, resulting in reduced visibility. Additionally, in stable conditions, precipitation tends to be more steady and continuous rather than showery or convective, which is often associated with unstable air. This consistency distinguishes stable air from unstable air, where you would typically observe more dynamic weather patterns, such as cumuliform clouds indicative of convective conditions. Thus, the features associated with stable air are related to its uniformity and lack of turbulent behavior.