Which statement describes a high-pressure (anticyclone) system?

• A. Atmospheric pressure at the surface is greater than the surrounding environment; wind blows outward and clockwise; slow moving or stationary; good weather, possible fog
• B. Wind blows inward toward the center and counterclockwise
• C. There is no wind in high-pressure systems
• D. It is always accompanied by heavy rain

Answer: (A)

A high-pressure system, or anticyclone, is defined by surface pressure higher than the surrounding air. Air tends to sink in these regions, which suppresses cloud formation and generally brings stable, fair weather. In the Northern Hemisphere, the surface winds around a high diverge outward from the center and rotate clockwise due to the Coriolis effect. These systems can be slow to move, leading to persistent weather patterns, and fog can form under clear skies during calm, cool nights. The description that best fits this is outward flow, clockwise rotation, higher surface pressure, and the potential for good weather (with possible fog).

The other statements don’t fit: inward toward the center with counterclockwise rotation describes a low-pressure system; no wind is not accurate for meteorological patterns around high or low systems; and heavy rain is typically linked to low pressure and fronts, not high pressure.