Instrument Rating Checkride Practice Test

Low-pressure areas are typically characterized by counterclockwise rotation due to the Coriolis effect, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. As air moves toward a low-pressure center, it converges and is forced to rise, resulting in the rotation. This rising air often leads to cloud formation and precipitation as moisture-laden air cools and condenses.

In contrast, high-pressure areas are associated with descending air and generally have a clockwise rotation. The atmospheric conditions in low-pressure areas are generally unstable, which is conducive to storm development and turbulent weather. Thus, while stable conditions might be presented in high-pressure systems, low-pressure areas are characterized by their dynamic and often chaotic nature, as the rising air disrupts stability.

Hence, the characteristic of counterclockwise rotation is a defining feature of low-pressure systems, especially evident in larger cyclonic weather patterns.