Northwest

Northwest (NW) is the compass direction halfway between north and west, expressed as 315° true or magnetic depending on the reference used. In marine navigation it may describe a course, bearing, wind direction, swell direction, current set, or the quadrant from which weather is approaching.

For boaters, “northwest” must be read in context: a northwest wind blows from the northwest, while steering northwest means travelling towards that direction. Confusing the two can affect sail choice, fuel use, lee shore risk, and collision avoidance. Check it against Compass, Heading, and Wind Direction when planning a route.

PredictWind forecasts display northwest winds, waves, gusts, and rain movement on maps and tables, helping you compare model timing before departure. In routing, a shift into the northwest can open a faster sailing angle, create a rough opposing sea with tide, or require an adjusted waypoint in Weather Routing.