Anticyclone

An area of relatively high atmospheric pressure, generally associated with sinking air and settled weather.

An area of high atmospheric pressure, usually bringing settled, relatively dry weather.

A persistent anticyclone, or high-pressure system, brings settled, relatively dry weather. In summer, prolonged sunshine can allow temperatures to rise, while a long shortage of rainfall can lead to drought. A heatwave is an extended period of unusually hot weather; a drought is a prolonged shortage of rainfall that leads to water shortages.

High pressure does not always mean hot weather. Its effects depend on the season, and winter anticyclones can bring frost and fog.

High-pressure systems, or anticyclones, usually bring light winds and settled conditions because sinking air suppresses cloud formation. These conditions can become hazardous when they persist.

An area of high atmospheric pressure, associated with sinking air and generally settled weather.

An area of relatively high atmospheric pressure, associated with descending air and generally settled weather.

In an anticyclone, or high-pressure system, air descends and cloud formation is generally reduced. Conditions are usually more settled, with lighter winds. Summer high pressure can bring sunny, warm, dry weather.

An area with higher atmospheric pressure than its surroundings, generally associated with sinking air and settled weather.

An area with higher atmospheric pressure at its centre than in its surroundings.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

OCR GCSE Geography A · J383

Eduqas GCSE Geography A · C111

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Eduqas GCSE Geography B · C112