northerly

American  

[nawr-ther-lee] / ˈnɔr ðər li /

adjective

1. moving, directed, or situated toward the north.

2. (especially of a wind) coming from the north.

   a northerly gale.

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adverb

1. toward the north.

2. from the north.

noun

• northerlies
  plural

1. a wind that blows from the north.

northerly British  

/ ˈnɔːðəlɪ /

adjective

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

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adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the north

2. from the north

   a northerly wind

noun

1. a wind from the north

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• northerliness
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• northerlies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of northerly

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

northerly northerlies

However, some computer models show the deep low taking a more northerly track.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Other meteorological influences can prevent the northerly or easterly winds that bring colder air.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

The fire in France's southwest Gironde region started with northerly winds, then westerly, then southerly, then easterly, then back again to the south, then the west...

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Elida began moving in a more northerly direction a few days ago, and is expected to cause high surf.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Klava Fomicheva and her navigator, Galya Dzhunkovskaya, both of them long since recovered after parachuting from their burning plane that summer, flew one of these cold and dark missions over northerly Riga.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

There are hints that cold northerlies could return in mid-February, increasing the risk of seeing snow showers.

From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2024

The northerlies are the troublemakers, kicking up the Gulf Stream into fearsome lumps that sometimes keep the commercial boats at home.

From Time Magazine Archive

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