A quote: "In the northern hemisphere, hurricanes always spin in a counterclockwise direction, whereas in the southern hemisphere, they spin clockwise. The reason is that as the warm air rises, the Earth’s rotation creates a Coriolis effect."
No. For a low-pressure system, the Coriolis effect arises from air moving toward the center of the system. The fact that warm air rises, although true, has no effect on the resulting rotation.
As air moves toward the center of a low-pressure system, it commences rotating, counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere -- classic Coriolis effect. In the same way, air moves away from the center of a high-pressure system, and commences rotating clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
The proof is that high-pressure systems also have warm air rising, but this doesn't cause a counterclockwise rotation.
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[ 5.2 ms ] story [ 13.5 ms ] threadNo. For a low-pressure system, the Coriolis effect arises from air moving toward the center of the system. The fact that warm air rises, although true, has no effect on the resulting rotation.
As air moves toward the center of a low-pressure system, it commences rotating, counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere -- classic Coriolis effect. In the same way, air moves away from the center of a high-pressure system, and commences rotating clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
The proof is that high-pressure systems also have warm air rising, but this doesn't cause a counterclockwise rotation.