What characterizes a Ridge Line?

A Ridge Line is characterized by an elongated area of high pressure. This phenomenon occurs when the atmospheric pressure increases along a horizontal axis, creating a ridge that extends across a region. In meteorological terms, ridges are typically associated with fair weather patterns, as they indicate stable air conditions. The air in these areas tends to descend, leading to clearer skies and warmer temperatures because descending air warms as it compresses.

This characteristic helps differentiate a Ridge Line from other options. For instance, an area of rising air is more indicative of a trough or low-pressure system, which usually leads to cloud formation and precipitation rather than the dry, stable conditions found at a ridge. Similarly, low humidity is not a defining feature of a Ridge Line, as the humidity can vary. Severe weather is also more commonly associated with low-pressure systems and troughs rather than ridges, which are generally connected to calmer and more stable weather conditions.