northerly

Northerly is an English directional term used as an adjective and an adverb to indicate a position, movement, or wind from the north. It denotes things oriented toward the north or originating from the north and is common in meteorology, navigation, and geographic description. In many contexts, northerly conveys a sense of direction more precise than the broader “northern.”

In wind and weather, a northerly wind blows from the north toward the south. Wind directions are named for the direction from which the wind originates, so a northerly wind comes from the north. Weather forecasts may mention northerly winds bringing cooler air or northerly gusts with varying intensity.

As an adjective, northerly describes orientation, exposure, or movement toward the north. Examples include “northerly winds,” “northerly suburbs,” or “northerly-facing slopes.” It can also describe a region’s northerly location within a larger area.

Origin and related terms: The word derives from “north” with the suffix -ly, forming a standard English term from historical usage. It is commonly paired with other directional terms such as easterly, southerly, and westerly to describe directions and wind patterns.