Why do pressure systems rotate in a certain direction?

Question

I'm aware that in the northern hemisphere, low pressure systems circulate counterclockwise and high pressure systems in the northern hemisphere circulate clockwise, etc. However, I really don't understand why this happens; my teacher claims we don't need to know why but I want to know so I can remember it easily. Any explanations?

Answer 1

ocean current / temp / earth rotation

Answer 2

High Pressure Rotation

Answer 3

As the earth is rotating on its axis,an apparent force called coriolis force is created which deflects the winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.This force varies with latitude and wind speed.It is maximum at the poles and zero over equator,That is why hurricanes or cyclones do not form near the equator as the coriolis force is very weak to produce the revolving motion which characterises the cyclones and hurricanes.Convergence (winds from the sorrounding areas converging at one point) takes place in low pressure systems and divergence(winds blowing towards the sorrounding areas from a point) takes place in high pressure systems.As both are opposite in nature, winds in a high pressure area is in opposite direction to that of the low pressure area.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do pressure systems rotate in a certain direction?
I'm aware that in the northern hemisphere, low pressure systems circulate counterclockwise and high pressure systems in the northern hemisphere circulate clockwise, etc. However, I really don't understand why this happens; my teacher claims we don't need to know why but I want to know...

Answer 5

Coriolis force deflects winds to the right of their path of motion in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern. With low pressure, winds flow towards (converge) at the center. All these winds are deflected and produce a counterclockwise rotation in the northern hemisphere and a clockwise in the southern. High pressure has winds flowing outwards from the center (divergence), and so the opposite of what happens to a low pressure will happen to a high.