What is Backing Winds?
The heating of the Earth by the sun causes daily changes in both the direction and speed of the wind. During the day, ground winds tend to veer (rotate clockwise) and increase in speed with sunrise, while at night, the winds back (rotate counterclockwise) and slow down. This pattern is observed in the Northern Hemisphere over land and is known as heliotropic wind behavior. Wind speed is influenced by vertical air movements caused by the heating of the ground. The greatest changes in wind direction and speed occur at midday when heating is at its peak. Mornings are typically the calmest period for wind.
Glossary
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