Rain in high pressure areas

[gerardflyagain]

Can anyone explain why rain was an incorrect answer for the below question? I thought Gales and Rain would be correct answers.

Which of the following conditions would you NOT expect to see during anticyclonic conditions where the centre of high pressure is established overhead?

✓ Gales
✘ Rain

[rnzoli]

Maybe because you can still expect thermic cloud build-up and showers in anticyclonal areas. Much more than gale force winds.

[boerdet]

Originally Posted by gerardflyagain

Can anyone explain why rain was an incorrect answer for the below question? I thought Gales and Rain would be correct answers.

Which of the following conditions would you NOT expect to see during anticyclonic conditions where the centre of high pressure is established overhead?

✓ Gales
✘ Rain

In a anticyclone some light rain is possible, but no hard winds, because in the centre of a high there is always very few gradient, the isobars are never close together, per definition. Tim, senior forcaster

[The Ancient Geek]

A lot depends on the location, for example the South African highveld sits squarely in high pressure during summer but you can depend on a good thunderstorm with localised gales every afternoon at around 4pm. This is caused by convection rather than circulation.

[gerardflyagain]

boerdet, how does rain happen if the air is sinking?

So Ancient Greek, you CAN get gales in a high?

[The Ancient Geek]

Indeed, but only in hot places where you get severe convective thunderstorms.
Probably better described as squalls rather than gales.
Always give Cumulonimbus a VERY wide berth. 20 miles is probably OK but YMMV.

[gerardflyagain]

Thanks EGQL.