Move the green circles to see an illustration of both a stable and unstable atmosphere. Stable: The circle will always return to its starting position. Unstable: When a force is applied to the circle, it will move and will continue to move unless acted upon by another force.
Stability depends on the atmosphere’s ability to resist vertical motion. In an unstable atmosphere, small vertical air movements tend to become larger, resulting in turbulent airflow and convection. Instability can lead to turbulence, clouds, and severe weather. The combination of moisture and temperatures determine the stability of air and the resulting weather.