Why do areas of high pressure have fewer clouds?
Cold, sinking air aloft is compressed and heated as it sinks in areas of high pressure. This causes an elevated temperature inversion. An elevated temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air resides over a layer cooler air (at the surface) thereby restricting the vertical movement of air. The vertical movement of air is necessary for cloud development. This is why you see very few, if any, clouds in areas of high pressure.
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