What generally happens to winds as altitude increases?

As altitude increases, winds typically exhibit a tendency to veer, which means that they shift in direction in a clockwise manner, especially in the mid to upper troposphere. This veering is often associated with the influence of the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect) and the changing pressure patterns with altitude. Additionally, it is common for winds to increase in speed at higher altitudes due to reduced friction from the Earth's surface, allowing for a more streamlined flow of air.

The phenomenon of increasing wind speeds with altitude is often observed in the jet stream, where winds can reach significantly higher velocities than those at lower altitudes. This behavior is crucial for pilots to understand since altitude can play a significant role in flight planning, performance, and fuel efficiency.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately describe the typical behavior of winds with increasing altitude. Winds remaining constant would imply no change in either speed or direction, which is not supported by meteorological observations. A decrease in wind speed and becoming unstable does not align with the general trend observed at higher altitudes, where stability typically increases. Lastly, shifting direction randomly does not reflect the organized patterns that are present in wind behavior as altitude changes. Therefore, the option indicating that winds veer and increase is the