What visibility conditions can be expected with stable air?

Stable air is characterized by a lack of vertical mixing, which prevents the dispersion of pollutants and moisture. This stability often leads to conditions that favor the formation of haze and fog, particularly in humid environments. The presence of these phenomena can significantly reduce visibility.

In stable air, thermal inversions can occur, where warmer air traps cooler air (and any moisture or pollutants) near the ground. This can result in the accumulation of fog, especially overnight or in the early morning when temperatures are cooler. Consequently, this leads to very poor visibility conditions as the air remains stagnant and unventilated.

High visibility with passing clouds, very low visibility with precipitation, and clear visibility during the day typically occur in either unstable air conditions or scenarios where weather systems are actively changing the atmosphere. Unstable air allows for more vertical movement and mixing, which is not conducive to producing the kinds of persistent haze and fog found in stable conditions. Therefore, the association of stable air with poor visibility due to haze and fog is a clear understanding of atmospheric behavior.