Which one of the following is the pattern of circulation around a low-pressure area in the northern hemisphere?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the circulation around a low-pressure area (cyclone) is characterized by a counter-clockwise and inward flow. Winds naturally move from high-pressure regions toward low-pressure centers to fill the void [2]. However, due to the Earth's rotation, the Coriolis force deflects these moving winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere [1]. This deflection prevents the air from moving directly to the center, instead forcing it into a spiral pattern that rotates counter-clockwise [4]. Consequently, surface winds converge toward the low-pressure center while maintaining this anticlockwise rotation [3]. In contrast, high-pressure systems (anticyclones) in the same hemisphere exhibit a clockwise rotation with winds spiraling outward away from the center [2]. This fundamental atmospheric principle is essential for understanding cyclonic systems and general weather patterns [5].

Sources

1. [2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Pressure and Planetary Winds > p. 139
2. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Why Tropical Cyclones Do Not Form At The Equator? > p. 310
3. [4] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > General circulation of the atmosphere > p. 79
4. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Centripetal Acceleration > p. 309
5. [5] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 13: Movements of Ocean Water > Major Ocean Currents > p. 112