northerly

[ nawr-ther-lee ]

adjective

1. moving, directed, or situated toward the north.
2. (especially of a wind) coming from the north:

   a northerly gale.

adverb

1. toward the north.
2. from the north.

noun

, plural north·er·lies.

1. a wind that blows from the north.

northerly

/ ˈnɔːðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the north

adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the north
2. from the north

   a northerly wind

noun

1. a wind from the north

Derived Forms

• ˈnortherliness, noun

Other Words From

• norther·li·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of northerly¹

1545–55; north + -erly, modeled on easterly

Example Sentences

This change in weather fortunes comes about thanks to a blocking area of high pressure building across Greenland with cold Arctic air emptying out across the UK and bitter northerly winds developing.

From BBC

At the end of this weekend and into next week there are some convincing signals of a northerly wind developing.

From BBC

In September, temperatures continued to be warmer than expected as the sub-tropical jet stream's more northerly position allowed a warmer southerly flow of air over Japan.

From BBC

During La Niña, unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean typically send winter storms on more northerly tracks, leaving the southern U.S. warmer and drier.

From Los Angeles Times

Across the north-west of Scotland conditions will improve too with drier, less moist air filtering down on a cold northerly wind.

From BBC