Backing and veering
Published: March 29, 2010, 12:00 am
Updated: July 4, 2012, 4:44 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
C Michael Hogan
Backing is a term, in meteorology, that refers to an anti-clockwise change of direction of a wind with increasing altitude. The corresponding opposite term is veering. The definition of veering is a wind pattern in which the wind direction aloft changes in a clockwise direction relative to that near the Earth surface.
An alternative usage of these two terms is as follows:
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Backing to indicate wind direction at a given height is changing anti-clockwise with time
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Veering to indicate wind direction at a given height is changing clockwise with time
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This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to expand this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion. |
Further Reading
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C.Donald Ahrens, Peter L.Jackson, Christine E.O.Jackson. 2011. Meteorology today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment. 611 pages
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Physical Oceanography Index
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Citation
Steve Baum (Lead Author);C Michael Hogan (Topic Editor) "Backing and veering". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 29, 2010; Last revised Date July 4, 2012; Retrieved May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Backing>
The Author
Assistant Research Scientist, Physical Section
Department of Oceanography
Texas A&M University ... (Full Bio)
Backing is a term, in meteorology, that refers to an anti-clockwise change of direction of a wind with increasing altitude. The corresponding opposite term is veering. The definition of veering is a wind pattern in which the wind direction aloft changes in a clockwise direction relative to that near the Earth surface.
An alternative usage of these two terms is as follows:
-
Backing to indicate wind direction at a given height is changing anti-clockwise with time
-
Veering to indicate wind direction at a given height is changing clockwise with time
|
This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to expand this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion. |
Further Reading
-
C.Donald Ahrens, Peter L.Jackson, Christine E.O.Jackson. 2011. Meteorology today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment. 611 pages
-
Physical Oceanography Index
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
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