What does increased atmospheric pressure typically cause?

Increased atmospheric pressure typically leads to stability in the atmosphere because high-pressure systems are associated with descending air. As the air descends, it warms and inhibits vertical movements within the atmosphere, which are necessary for cloud formation and precipitation. This stability means that the air tends to remain in place rather than rising and cooling, which can help suppress convective activity.

While cooling of air parcels and moisture retention can be affected by other atmospheric conditions, they are not direct consequences of increased pressure. Similarly, the formation of thunderstorms generally requires unstable conditions, which are less likely to occur under high-pressure systems. Therefore, stability is the most accurate outcome associated with increased atmospheric pressure.