Maritime Questions › Day Skipper Meteorology

In the northern hemisphere, if the wind is said to be "veering", in which direction is it shifting?

Q: In the northern hemisphere, if the wind is said to be "veering", in which direction is it shifting?

Clockwise — e.g. SW to W to NW Veering = clockwise direction change (N hemisphere). Backing = anti-clockwise. A veering wind as a depression passes is typical cold front behaviour; backing wind often indicates an approaching warm front or deteriorating weather.

A. Increasing in strength regardless of direction

B. Clockwise — e.g. SW to W to NW

C. Anti-clockwise — e.g. SW to S to SE

D. Decreasing — veering always means wind is dying

What wind speed range and sea description corresponds to Beaufort Force 6?

A. 17–21 knots; fresh breeze; moderate waves, many white horses

B. 28–33 knots; near gale; sea heaps up, streaks of foam

C. 22–27 knots; strong breeze; large waves begin to form, white foam crests extensive

D. 34–40 knots; gale; moderately high waves of greater length

As a warm front passes your position, in what order do conditions typically change?

A. Cumulus builds → heavy showers → rapid clearance → cold and clear

B. Fog → drizzle → clearing → cold front

C. Cirrus cloud → thickening alto/stratus → steady rain → clearing → warmer, humid, possibly foggy conditions in the warm sector

D. Wind backs sharply, brief squall, then long clear period

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