What do you mean by the term Wind Shift?

When the direction of wind changes in a clockwise manner, in nautical terminology it is called veering of wind. On the contrary, winds that shift direction counter-clockwise are called ‘backing winds’.

The terms ‘veering’ or ‘backing’ are used for the changing position of wind arrows in a passing cyclone.

Shifts in wind direction have a significant impact on the weather of a particular locality. In an extra- tropical cyclone, veering winds indicate fine weather, and backing winds predict continued bad weather.

Backing and veering winds are important climatologically. Regions lying on the equator- ward sides of passing cyclones and having veering winds are bound to experience higher temperatures, greater convective activity and more cumulus clouds.

While regions located pole-ward of the centre of the cyclone would experience relatively lower temperatures, less convective activity and lesser amount of clouds. Backing winds, on the other hand, bring with them cold polar air and are mostly associated with lower temperature, a greater degree of cloudiness and possibility of snowfall in winter.