Final answer:
Surface airflow around northern hemisphere low-pressure centers is counterclockwise and inward, due to the Coriolis force which deflects winds to the right, leading to the observed pattern of low-pressure systems like hurricanes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The circulation around northern hemisphere low-pressure centers is directed by the combination of the horizontal pressure gradient, Coriolis force, and friction forces, which leads to a specific pattern. In the northern hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes the wind to be deflected to the right. This deflection, in combination with the inward flow due to the low pressure, results in a counterclockwise and inward circulation around low-pressure zones, such as hurricanes. This can be distinctly observed from space where low-pressure patterns are marked by rising air, cooling, and cloud formation. On the contrary, high-pressure zones in the northern hemisphere exhibit a clockwise circulation associated with sinking air and clear skies.