The Coriolis effect will deflect winds blowing from areas of high pressure. Winds will continue to be deflected until the pressure gradient effect balances the Coriolis effect and the wind moves parallel to the isobars. Winds blowing parallel to isobars are termed geostrophic winds . Interaction of pressure gradient and Coriolis effect on wind direction. Geostrophic winds are disrupted by the influence of friction immediately above Earth's surface but are fully developed a few kilometers above the surface.
Contours represent elevation of surface and are essentially parallel to isobars.
Note wind directions are parallel to contours. Friction Wind blowing near Earth's surface is slowed by frictional drag from surface features. Increasing friction reduces the Coriolis force which is proportional to wind speed. The diminished Coriolis effect can not balance the influence of the pressure gradient and results in non-geostrophic winds close to Earth's surface. Winds are oblique to isobars , the angle between wind direction and the pressure gradient is dependent upon the character of the underlying surface.