Northwesterly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Geography

• Northwesterly winds can impact weather patterns, often bringing cooler temperatures and precipitation in certain regions.
• Certain ecosystems, especially in the Pacific Northwest, are shaped by northwesterly streams of moist air from the ocean.
• Cities like Seattle and Portland are influenced by their northwesterly geographic position, affecting climate, culture, and lifestyle.

Navigation

• Navigators and sailors often use the northwesterly direction to plot courses across oceans, using it as a reliable reference point.
• In orienteering, a sport involving navigation through challenging terrain, knowing northwesterly can help participants find their way efficiently.
• Maritime maps reference northwesterly for sailing routes, steering crews toward safe harbors or favorable winds.

Cultural Context

• In poetry and literature, northwesterly imagery often evokes thoughts of adventure, exploration, and the unknown.
• Folklore from various cultures often describes the northwestern direction as holding mysteries or treasure, linked to exploration tales.
• In Western astrology, the northwest is sometimes associated with communication and relationships, offering insights into people's interactions.

Meteorology

• Meteorologists track northwesterly winds when forecasting storms, as they can indicate changes in weather patterns.
• Seasonal winds from the northwesterly direction can lead to substantial snowfall in mountainous regions, affecting local environments.
• The alignment of pressure systems often causes northwesterly gales, which are nothing to take lightly for coastal communities.

Main points about word origin

• The word combines 'north' and 'westerly', with 'westerly' coming from 'west' and an Old English suffix meaning 'toward'.
• The concept of cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) has been used since ancient navigation practices.
• In the 16th century, the term began appearing in maps, as explorers delineated new territories and routes.

The term 'northwesterly' is formed from the combination of 'northwest,' which denotes the direction halfway between north and west on a compass, combined with the suffix '-erly,' which suggests a general direction or orientation. 'Northwest' itself has been in use since the 14th century, deriving from Old English 'norðwest,' where 'norð' means north and 'west' refers to the direction opposite to east. The suffix '-erly' suggests movement or inclination towards a particular direction. This directional term is commonly used in navigation, meteorology, and geography.