In the northern hemisphere, winds blow _________ around a low.

In the northern hemisphere, winds blow counterclockwise around a low-pressure system due to the Coriolis effect, which is a result of the Earth’s rotation. As air moves towards the low-pressure center, it gets deflected to the right because of this effect, causing the rotating pattern. This counterclockwise rotation is vital for understanding weather patterns, as areas of low pressure often lead to stormy conditions, with rising air and the formation of clouds and precipitation.

In contrast, options referring to clockwise, horizontal, or vertical movements do not accurately depict how winds behave around low-pressure systems in the northern hemisphere. Clockwise movement is associated with high-pressure systems, while horizontal and vertical patterns do not represent the circular motion of wind around lows, which is crucial for navigating and predicting weather patterns effectively.