What are the characteristics of a persistent high-pressure system?

A persistent high-pressure system is characterized by clear skies, light winds, and dry conditions. This phenomenon occurs because high-pressure systems involve descending air that inhibits cloud formation and leads to stable atmospheric conditions. The descending air warms as it compresses, making it less likely for moisture to condense into clouds or precipitation. As a result, areas under the influence of a high-pressure system typically experience sunny weather and minimal wind, which often leads to a lack of rain and humidity.

The other options describe conditions typically associated with low-pressure systems or unstable weather patterns, which involve strong winds, heavy precipitation, cloudy skies, and stormy conditions. These phenomena differ fundamentally from the characteristics of high-pressure systems.