What are horse latitudes known for in meteorology?

Horse latitudes are known for regions of descending air where high-pressure systems, or semi-stationary anticyclones, dominate. This descending air leads to predominantly calm and dry weather conditions. The term "horse latitudes" traditionally refers to the areas around 30 degrees north and south of the equator, where sailing ships would often become stranded due to the lack of wind—an effect of these high-pressure systems.

In meteorological terms, these regions are characterized by stable atmospheric conditions, which reduce the likelihood of precipitation. The descending air inhibits cloud formation, thus leading to clear skies and dry weather. This is in stark contrast to areas of high precipitation, regions with consistent strong winds, or cold climates with heavy snowfall, which are not typically associated with the horse latitudes.