stability

Referring to the atmosphere, it represents its state of hydrostatic equilibrium. Atmospheric stability contributes to curbing any possible rise of air that might occur, preventing it when, for any atmospheric level we consider, the air situated above is less dense than that situated at that level or below it. Winter anticyclones are a clear example of atmospheric stability. It may happen that the air located below has a lower density than the air above; in that case, there will also be atmospheric stability if, when that lower air tries to rise - either through its own buoyancy or through forcing -, as it cools while ascending, it quickly reaches the ambient temperature at the new level, thereby ceasing to rise. The convective cloud that might form would not achieve great vertical development, its growth being curbed.