USCG Meteorology Practice Exam

In a cyclonic storm, the law of Buys Ballot indicates that if you are faced with winds coming directly at you (dead ahead) while steaming eastward, the center of low pressure is located to the south. This is a result of the wind patterns associated with cyclones.

Cyclonic storms in the Northern Hemisphere rotate counterclockwise around the center of low pressure. When you find yourself heading east into a cyclonic system with the wind directly in front of you, it means that you are positioned in a manner that places the low pressure area, which is the origin of the storm's winds, to your south. The counterclockwise motion of the system leads the winds, which flow around the center, to come from the north toward your position.

Thus, in this scenario, understanding the dynamics of cyclone rotation and wind direction is crucial. The placement of the low-pressure center is determined by the movement of the wind, where the wind will always flow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, thereby guiding you to the conclusion that in this case, the center of low pressure is indeed located to the south.