Winds: Low-level Inflow and High-level Outflow

At the surface, the air spirals inward in a counterclockwise (cyclonic) circulation. The circulation becomes weaker with height, eventually turning into clockwise (anticyclonic) outflow near the top of the storm. There is much to see in the adjacent imagery of Hurricane Luis. Start by focusing your attention on the high-level outflow edge, identified by the ends of the red lines that radiate from the label (High Level Outflow). Watch as this edge moves over the low-level inflow clouds. Use the media controls to start the animation. The dark gray shadow, which is cast by high-level outflow clouds, may help you differentiate low-level inflow from high-level outflow. The shadow is located between the high and low-level labels in the lower left quadrant of the  imagery. A second area of interest is the hurricane's eye. Notice the counterclockwise low-level inflow. Contrast this with clockwise high-level outflow.