What weather phenomenon can commonly cause calm and light winds?

High pressure systems are often associated with calm and light winds due to their inherent atmospheric characteristics. In a high pressure system, the air is cooler and denser, which leads to more stable atmospheric conditions. This stability inhibits significant vertical movement of air, resulting in a lack of turbulent weather and less wind activity.

During these conditions, the air tends to radiate outward from the center of the high pressure area and sink. As this air descends, it warms and stabilizes, further reducing wind speeds. The result is clear skies and calm weather in the area surrounding the high pressure system, making it common to experience light winds.

In contrast, storms typically involve strong wind patterns and turbulent conditions, while both cold fronts and warm fronts are more associated with changes in wind speed and direction as different air masses interact. Cold fronts generally bring abrupt changes in weather, including strong winds and potential storms, whereas warm fronts can cause gradual increases in wind speed as they move through an area. Thus, high pressure systems are more synonymous with calm and light winds compared to these other weather phenomena.