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 northerlies.

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 Word Forms

• norther·li·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of northerly¹

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

Example Sentences

Other forecasts instead build high pressure to the north-west of the UK bringing a return of northerly winds, which would mean lower temperatures and perhaps even some wintry showers.

From BBC

“We’re also going to have some northerly winds through the next several days, which will bring some of that drier, warmer air,” he said, though he noted they are not Santa Anas.

From Los Angeles Times

Surrounded by sea and golden sands, Alderney - the most northerly of the Channel Islands - is facing a challenge.

From BBC

With a switch in wind direction to a northerly this week, the - still very cold - Arctic winds will bring temperatures below average.

From BBC

The fine weather of the weekend has been replaced by colder more unsettled weather and northerly winds this week.

From BBC