The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon that causes moving objects to curve as they travel across the surface of a rotating body, like the Earth. This effect is due to the rotation of the planet, which causes different points on its surface to move at different speeds. For example, the equator moves faster than areas near the poles. In meteorology, the Coriolis effect influences wind patterns and ocean currents. It helps explain why storms in the Northern Hemisphere rotate counterclockwise, while those in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise. Understanding this effect is crucial for predicting weather and climate patterns.