Definition
A change in wind direction of 45 degrees or more in less than 15 minutes, with sustained wind speeds of 10 knots or more throughout the change. Wind shifts are commonly associated with the passage of frontal systems and can occur with or without a change in wind speed.
Plain English
The wind suddenly starts blowing from a noticeably different direction in a short period of time. Pilots watch for this because it changes how an aircraft handles, especially during takeoff and landing.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather discussions, preflight planning, runway selection, and landing decisions when changing weather may alter the wind direction.
Why Pilots Care
A wind shift can alter crosswind components, require a runway change, or affect approach planning.
Grounding Statement
Picture a windsock that was pointing one way, then turns to point another way; that is a visible wind shift.
Intuition Check
Do not read wind shift as only “the wind got stronger.” In aviation, the key idea is that the wind direction changed; speed may or may not change too.
Example Sentence 1
The TAF showed a wind shift around 2100Z, so the pilot planned to arrive before the front passed.
Example Sentence 2
During the flight briefing the instructor pointed out an expected wind shift that would turn a headwind into a crosswind on final.