Final answer:
Surface air flow around low-pressure centers in the Northern Hemisphere, influenced by the horizontal pressure gradient, Coriolis, and friction forces, moves in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direction of surface air flow around Northern Hemisphere low-pressure centers, when considering the influences of the horizontal pressure gradient, Coriolis, and friction forces, is counterclockwise as seen from above. This is consistent with the well-known hand-twist model of a Low.
In the context of Portland conditions and the northeastern Low, these forces combine to produce a characteristic rotation pattern. The Coriolis force is significant for large-scale motions such as wind patterns, deflecting wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, thus contributing to the counterclockwise motion. This effect is consistent with observations from space of tropical cyclones, which are storm systems with low pressure centers, strong winds, and heavy rain, such as hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere.