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back 1. A wind shift to the left. According to widespread American and international usage, to back is a change in wind direction in a counterclockwise sense in either hemisphere. This is the logical and preferred meaning of the word. Change in the opposite direction is called veer. 2. According to Bowditch and USCG exams, backing is a change in wind direction in a counterclockwise sense in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere. See more detailed discussion under veer. See also haul. See WXT G135 for a diagram of veering and backing winds.

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