What type of weather system is typically characterized by rotating winds around a low-pressure center?

Study for the Navy FAM Ground School Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

A hurricane is a type of weather system that is characterized by rotating winds around a low-pressure center. This phenomenon occurs over warm ocean waters and is formed when warm, moist air rises and creates a low-pressure area. As air flows into this low-pressure system, it begins to rotate due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation. This rotation, along with the release of latent heat from condensation of water vapor, intensifies the storm, leading to strong winds and heavy rainfall.

In contrast, an anticyclone refers to a high-pressure system where winds circulate outward away from the center, typically leading to fair weather, while fronts are boundaries between different air masses, which may bring about changes in weather but are not characterized by a low-pressure center like hurricanes. A stable high-pressure system indicates relatively calm and stable weather conditions associated with descending air and is the opposite of the dynamic and energetic nature of a hurricane.

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