In the Northern Hemisphere, winds associated with a low-pressure system blow in what direction?

1 Answer
Jan 18, 2017

Counter-clockwise.

Explanation:

Wind occurs when there is an air pressure gradient. This gradient cause air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Since the Earth is rotating, the air is deflected to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere). The reason this occurs is best illustrated by drawing a straight line on a spinning ball. If you move a marker on a beach ball in a straight line, but the beach ball is spin, the line it ends up draw will be curved.

A simple way to remember where the low pressure is located is the Buy Ballot law. If the wind is at your back (in the Northern Hemisphere) the low pressure will be at your left.