Indian Ocean Gyre

Normally moving counter-clockwise, in the winter the Indian Ocean gyre reverses direction due to the seasonal winds of the South Asian Monsoon.

However, during the winter, these temperatures reverse, making the winds blow from the land to the ocean.

Because most of the air pressure gradient is retained behind the Tibetan plateau, air pressure gradients over the Indian Ocean and the gyre are small.

This results in winds of moderate strength, due to the protection from the full force winds blowing off the Mongolian high pressure region.

Due to this seasonal wind cycle, the currents of the Indian Ocean, which make up the Indian Ocean gyre, are directly affected, causing reversal.

The Indian Ocean gyre
Map of gyres centered near the south pole (click to enlarge)
The Indian Ocean Garbage Patch on a continuous ocean map centered near the south pole