Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What describes the weather conditions of a high pressure system?

1. Stormy conditions with frequent precipitation

2. Cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms

3. Sunny with little to no cloud cover

4. Humidity with a likelihood of rain

The correct answer is: Sunny with little to no cloud cover

A high-pressure system is characterized by descending air, which inhibits cloud formation and encourages clear skies. This process generally results in stable atmospheric conditions, leading to sunny weather with little to no cloud cover. High-pressure systems typically bring dry air and fair weather, which is why the answer emphasizes a sunny, clear environment. In contrast, stormy conditions or cloudy weather would likely be associated with low-pressure systems, which promote rising air and can lead to precipitation and thunderstorms. Humidity and a likelihood of rain also align more with low-pressure systems, where moist air is more abundant and can condense into clouds and precipitation. Thus, the description of sunny, clear weather aligns perfectly with the characteristics of a high-pressure system.