How do surface winds circulate around a high-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere?

• A. Clockwise and outward from the center
• B. Counterclockwise and inward toward the center
• C. Clockwise and inward toward the center
• D. Counterclockwise and outward from the center

Answer: (A)

Surface winds around a high-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere circulate clockwise and move outward from the center. The pressure gradient pushes air from the high toward lower pressure, and as this air moves, the Coriolis effect deflects it to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, curving the flow into a clockwise pattern. Because the air is moving away from the center, winds diverge outward. In contrast, around a low-pressure system the flow is typically counterclockwise and inward.