thumb|upright=1.35|Satellite image showing a high-pressure area south of Australia, evidenced by the clearing in the clouds A simple rule is that for high-pressure areas, where generally air flows from the center outward, the [[coriolis force given by the earth's rotation to the air circulation is in the opposite direction of earth's apparent rotation if viewed from above the hemisphere's pole. These results derive from the Coriolis effect.<!--That article explains in detail the physics, and provides an animation of a model to aid understanding.-->
In the Southern Hemisphere the result is similar. Australia and the southern cone of South America get hot, dry summer weather from the subtropical ridge and cooler wetter winter weather as cold fronts from the southern oceans take over.
The term cyclone was coined by Henry Piddington of the British East India Company to describe the devastating storm of December 1789 in Coringa, India.
Connection to wind
Atmospheric air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure resulting in wind.