High and Low Pressure

Weather Pressure Systems

A rather obvious effect that can be seen on the weather map is the way in which the wind direction rotates around high and low pressure systems.

Here in Great Western Land, the wind rotates clockwise around a high pressure system and anticlockwise around a low pressure one.

Could it be that this is due to air rising in one system and sinking in the other?

Could it be that the clockwise/anticlockwise thing can be explained as simply as screwing and unscrewing a screw into a piece of wood and then by extension does this mean that the wind can only turn left. . or is it right?

Apparently not.

There’s this thing called the “Coriolis” which isn’t some 1950s Mafioso but something to do with planet rotation and airspeed. All very technical but effectively it means that because the earth is spinning under the air then it kind of pushes it about a bit and makes it spin. .  have a look at this explanation which is clearly written for those with an academic bent.

However, does it answer the question “Can wind only turn left. .  or right?”