During what weather condition would you least likely encounter stable air?

Heavy rain is often associated with unstable air conditions, making it less likely to encounter stable air. When there is significant rainfall, it typically indicates that there are strong upward movements in the atmosphere, which lead to the development of convection currents. These currents are a hallmark of unstable air, as they promote vertical motion and can lead to the development of cumulus clouds and thunderstorms.

In contrast, clear skies are generally indicative of stable air, where the atmospheric conditions are such that air parcels do not rise easily. Breezy conditions, while they might suggest some movement, can still occur in both stable and unstable atmospheres, so they don’t definitively indicate stable air. Low stratus clouds are usually seen in stable air, as they form when moist air rises slowly and spreads out horizontally, maintaining a more uniform temperature and lack of convection.

Therefore, heavy rain is the situation where you are least likely to encounter stable air, as it signifies active weather systems driving convective processes.