hoogdrukcentrifugaalpompen

High-pressure centers, known in Dutch as hoogdrukcentra, are regions where the atmospheric pressure at the Earth's surface is higher than in surrounding areas. They correspond to anticyclones, with air aloft cooling and sinking, which inhibits cloud formation and tends to yield dry, often clear skies. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds around a high-pressure center circulate clockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere they circulate counterclockwise.

Formation and movement of hoogdrukcentra are driven by large-scale atmospheric processes that cause air to descend and stabilize the atmosphere. They can persist for days to weeks and typically move slowly, steered by the larger pressure pattern and the jet stream. The position and strength of a high-pressure center influence weather over broad regions, from extended dry spells to frost or heat waves, depending on the season and time of year.

Weather characteristics associated with hoogdrukcentra include clear to partly cloudy skies, light winds near the center, and diurnal temperature variation. Nighttime radiational cooling can produce frost in winter, while persistent highs in summer can contribute to heat waves or drought in affected areas. The margins of a high-pressure system may bring breezier conditions and occasional showers.

Observation and terminology: A hoogdrukcentrum is identified by elevated surface pressure, typically measured in hectopascals (hPa). Notable examples include the Azores High (Azorenhoog) in the North Atlantic and the Siberian High (Siberisch Hoog) in Asia. Weather forecasts track the position and strength of these centers to predict regional conditions.