Why do low pressure systems rotate clockwise in the northern hemisphere, and clockwise in the southern hemisphere?
I understand it has to do with the Coriolis Force/Effect, but can I get an in-depth explanation at what Coriolis has to with the rotation of low pressure systems?
I understand it has to do with the Coriolis Force/Effect, but can I get an in-depth explanation at what Coriolis has to with the rotation of low pressure systems?
1 Answer
Sure
Explanation:
First off low pressure rotate counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Okay, picture a beach ball, with 2 points on it. Take a marker and draw a line between point A and point B. You should have a straight line. Now imagine someone is holding the ball and spinning it, and draw the same line as the first time. You will now have a curved line because point B is not in the same position it was when you first started drawing the line.
That is Coriolis and it also demonstrates why it is an effect and not a force. The force applied to drawing the line is the same in both situations (this is the pressure gradient force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure) but there appears to be a force causing the second line to curve.
