Backing wind

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-003768",
  "term": "Backing wind",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "A wind that changes its direction in a counter-clockwise manner over time at a fixed point, or with increasing altitude. This directional shift is associated with cold air advection in the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, a backing wind indicates warm air advection.",
    "Winds which shift in a counterclockwise direction with time at a given location (e.g. from southerly to southeasterly), or change direction in a counterclockwise sense with height (e.g. westerly at the surface but becoming more southerly aloft). The opposite of veering winds.\n\nIn storm spotting, a backing wind usually refers to the turning of a south or southwest surface wind with time to a more east or southeasterly direction. Backing of the surface wind can increase the potential for tornado development by increasing the directional shear at low levels."
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/backing-wind/"
}