Anticyclone

An anticyclone is a large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure. This is the opposite of a cyclone, which circulates around a low-pressure area. In the Northern Hemisphere, the wind in an anticyclone blows clockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it blows counterclockwise due to the Coriolis Effect. Anticyclones are typically associated with calm, clear weather, as the high-pressure discourages cloud formation. The descending air in an anticyclone warms as it descends, which inhibits the formation of clouds and leads to clear skies. They can cover extensive areas and persist for prolonged periods, significantly influencing the local weather patterns.