What is the effect of unstable air on precipitation?

Unstable air is characterized by vertical motion, which can lead to the development of convective clouds and the potential for heavy precipitation. When air is unstable, it tends to rise quickly, resulting in the formation of cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are known for producing intense, short-lived rainfall, often in the form of showers. The turbulence created by the rapid ascent of warm, moist air contributes to the erratic nature of shower-like precipitation, which can be heavy at times but is interspersed with periods of little or no rain.

In contrast, stable air is generally associated with steady, light precipitation because the air does not rise as significantly, leading to more uniform cloud formations and precipitation rates. Conditions in stable air favor continuous rainfall as opposed to the variable and intense bursts of precipitation typical of unstable air environments.

Thus, the correct choice reflects the association of unstable air with precipitation that is often brief, intense, and characterized by showers, making it the accurate representation of unstable atmospheric conditions.