Which weather pattern is associated with moist, unstable air?

• A. Cumuliform clouds and showery precipitation
• B. Stratiform clouds and steady rain
• C. Clear skies
• D. Very dry air

Answer: (A)

Moist, unstable air drives convection, causing air to rise freely, cool, and condense into vertically developed cumulus clouds. This vertical growth leads to convective activity and intermittent showers, which is the hallmark of cumulus (cumuliform) clouds with showery precipitation. In contrast, stable air tends to produce broad, layered clouds with steady rain (stratiform) or clear skies when moisture is low, and very dry air lacks enough moisture to form clouds. So the pattern of cumulus clouds with showers best matches moist, unstable air.