Which type of precipitation is commonly found in an unstable air mass?

Commonly, an unstable air mass is characterized by significant rising motion due to warm surface temperatures or other factors that cause the air at the surface to rise quickly. This rising air cools as it ascends, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation. In such conditions, the precipitation often manifests as convective clouds, which can produce localized, intense bursts of rain or showers.

Showery rain is typically associated with instability because it results from the rapid lifting and cooling of warm, moist air, creating conditions conducive to convective activity. The result is brief but intense rain showers that can vary in intensity; some may be heavy while others are lighter.

In contrast, steady rain tends to be associated with more stable air masses, where the lifting is gradual and sustained, leading to uniform precipitation over a wider area. Heavy snow is usually related to cooler, more stable air masses rather than the instability required for showers. Drizzle is also linked to stable conditions where the precipitation rate is low and uniform, typically lacking the intense lifting found in unstable air masses. Thus, showery rain is the most representative of the precipitation type found in an unstable air mass.