What does the term Veer describe in meteorology?

What does the term Veer describe in meteorology?

• A. Clockwise wind shift.
• B. Counterclockwise wind shift.
• C. Wind direction remains constant.
• D. Wind shifts from south to north.

Answer: (A)

Veer describes a clockwise wind shift with height. As you go upward through the atmosphere, the wind direction rotates to the right—for example, it may go from southerly at lower levels to westerly, then northerly at higher levels. This gradual clockwise rotation is the vertical wind-shear pattern known as veering. It contrasts with backing, which is a counterclockwise turn with height. If wind direction stayed constant with altitude, there would be no veer. A shift from south to north implies a large, abrupt change rather than the gradual clockwise rotation that defines veering.

Veer describes a clockwise wind shift with height. As you go upward through the atmosphere, the wind direction rotates to the right—for example, it may go from southerly at lower levels to westerly, then northerly at higher levels. This gradual clockwise rotation is the vertical wind-shear pattern known as veering. It contrasts with backing, which is a counterclockwise turn with height. If wind direction stayed constant with altitude, there would be no veer. A shift from south to north implies a large, abrupt change rather than the gradual clockwise rotation that defines veering.