Which is the characteristic flow of surface winds in a high pressure system?

In a high-pressure system, surface winds exhibit a characteristic flow that is primarily clockwise. This movement is significantly influenced by the Coriolis effect, which causes the winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The high-pressure area, or anticyclone, creates a pressure gradient that pushes air outwards from the center. As the air moves outward, the Coriolis effect alters its trajectory, resulting in a clockwise circulation pattern around the high pressure.

This clockwise flow is opposite to that of low-pressure systems, where winds rotate counterclockwise. The understanding of these dynamics is critical for interpreting weather patterns, forecasting conditions, and recognizing the implications for things like storm movement and temperature distributions. The other choices do not accurately represent the flow of surface winds in high-pressure systems, as they either describe incorrect angles or patterns contrary to the standard behavior observed around high-pressure areas.