If winds are veering, in which direction are they typically shifting?

When winds are described as veering, this indicates a shift in the wind direction in a clockwise manner. In meteorological terms, this often occurs as a result of changes in pressure systems, such as the transition from a low-pressure area to a high-pressure area.

For instance, if the wind starts from the north, a veering wind would change to blow from the northeast, then to the east, and so forth. This clockwise shift is important for pilots as it can affect flight planning and operations. Understanding wind patterns, including the phenomenon of veering, is crucial for predicting weather changes and for ensuring safe flight operations.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of veering winds. For example, winds shifting counter-clockwise would be described as backing, and maintaining a constant direction does not reflect any change at all. Similarly, stating that winds veering is the opposite of prevailing winds could mislead since prevailing winds have a specific consistent direction that is not inherently related to the concept of veering.