Plural of anticyclone; weather systems with high atmospheric pressure that rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and bring clear, calm weather.
From anti- (opposite) + cyclone (a rotating storm system). Cyclone derives from Greek 'kyklos' (wheel). The term was coined to describe systems opposite to cyclones, which have low pressure.
Anticyclones are the opposite of hurricanes—instead of spinning counterclockwise with low pressure, they spin clockwise with high pressure, pushing air down and away from clouds, creating those perfect sunny days!
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