Which environmental factor can affect the performance of smoke detectors?

High humidity can significantly affect the performance of smoke detectors, making it the correct choice. Smoke detectors are designed to detect smoke particles in the air. When the humidity level is high, moisture can interfere with the detector's ability to sense smoke effectively. For instance, excess moisture can come into contact with the electronics inside the detector, leading to false alarms or inhibited response times, causing potential safety hazards in a fire situation.

In contrast, other environmental factors, while they can influence various systems, do not typically have the same direct impact on smoke detectors. Low temperatures might affect the battery life but usually do not interfere with the fundamental sensing capabilities. Dry air may not hinder performance and could even be preferable in terms of reducing false alarms caused by moisture. Excessive wind also does not directly challenge the core functionality of smoke detection, as smoke is typically an indicator of fire and does not depend on air movement for detection. Understanding these environmental influences is crucial for maintaining smoke detectors in optimal working condition.