How High Pressure and Low Pressure Drive the Weather

Meteorologists often refer to high and low-pressure areas when making their forecasts. What are these weather elements, and how do they impact the weather? Read on for an overview of the difference between high and low pressure.

Understanding How High- and Low-Pressure Areas Drive the Weather

The stark differences in air pressure are a primary driver of the weather. The inherently uneven heating of the surface of the Earth triggers these pressure changes. As warm air rises, it generates lower pressure at the ground level. Conversely, cold and sinking air produces zones of high pressure.

The process of air rising inside an area of lower pressure translates to cooler air that condenses into clouds to eventually generate rain or snow. The natural rotation of the Earth means that winds located in the middle of a low-pressure center will spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. These winds spin clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.