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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-stable-air-stratiform

A warm, moist air mass moves over a cold surface. What weather usually follows?

Stable air with stratiform clouds, fog and drizzle.

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  1. Stratiform clouds, fog and drizzle ✔
  2. Towering cumulus and thunderstorms
  3. Clear skies and gusty winds

Why: Air cooled from below becomes stable. Stable air suppresses vertical motion, so instead of towering clouds you get layered stratiform clouds, fog and drizzle.

Huh, didn't know that: Unstable air does the opposite: it enhances vertical motion and builds cumulus clouds.

The dad joke
Stable air is like my uncle after Thanksgiving dinner. Not moving, and a bit foggy.
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References

Answer: Stratiform clouds, fog and drizzle. Air cooled from below becomes stable. Stable air suppresses vertical motion, so instead of towering clouds you get layered stratiform clouds, fog and drizzle.

  1. Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28B, Chapter 11 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    produces stable air associated with stratiform clouds, fog, and drizzle
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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