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

Which climatic condition is typically associated with high pressure systems?

1. Cloudy and stormy weather

2. Crisp and clear skies

3. Fog and humidity

4. Heatwaves

The correct answer is: Crisp and clear skies

High-pressure systems are generally characterized by descending air, which leads to increased stability in the atmosphere. This stability prevents the formation of clouds, resulting in crisp and clear skies. As the air descends, it warms up and dries out, inhibiting moisture accumulation that can lead to cloud formation and precipitation. This is why areas under high pressure often experience fair weather and sunshine, making clear skies a typical condition associated with such systems. The other choices describe weather conditions that are more commonly found in low-pressure systems, where rising moist air can lead to the development of clouds and storms. For example, cloudy and stormy weather associated with option A arises from the instability of low-pressure systems. Similarly, fog and high humidity, typical of option C, are often found in conditions where air is rising and cooling, leading to condensation. Heatwaves, while they can occur in high pressure, are better associated with prolonged periods of dry, hot weather rather than the characteristic features of high pressure, which primarily promote clear skies.