Which condition is present when a local parcel of air is stable?

When a local parcel of air is stable, it resists convection, which is the process where warmer air rises because it is less dense than the surrounding cooler air. In a stable atmosphere, any upward movement of air is countered by the environmental conditions; therefore, if the local parcel tries to move upward, it will cool down more quickly than the surrounding environment, causing it to become denser and sink back down. This resistance to upward motion is a characteristic of stability in the atmosphere, inhibiting the development of significant vertical movement, like thunderstorms or strong updrafts.

The stability of a parcel of air is crucial in understanding weather patterns and phenomena, as stable layers in the atmosphere typically result in clear skies and minimal turbulence, while instability can lead to more dynamic weather conditions.