Deficit which can possibly lead to lengthy cold spell? (9)
I believe the answer is:
shortfall
'deficit' is the definition.
(I know that deficit can be written as shortfall)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shortfall that I've seen before include "Not enough money" , "Not quite what's expected" , "Deficiency" , "what we're lacking" , "Loss" .)