Which of the following phenomena can lead to high wind speeds?

High wind speeds are typically associated with closely spaced isobars on a weather map. Isobars represent lines of equal atmospheric pressure, and when they are close together, it indicates a steep pressure gradient. This steep gradient means that the difference in atmospheric pressure over a short distance is significant, which results in stronger winds as air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in an effort to equalize the pressure differences.

In contrast, widely spaced isobars indicate a gentle pressure gradient, which is associated with lighter winds. A stable atmosphere is characterized by a lack of vertical movement and generally does not lead to high wind speeds. Thick cloud cover can be a result of various weather conditions but does not have a direct correlation with wind speed on its own, as winds are more closely tied to pressure differences indicated by isobar spacing. Thus, closely spaced isobars are the key factor in generating high wind speeds.