Wind direction looks simple until an arrow, abbreviation or degree value raises a crucial question: does it show where the air comes from or where it is going? In meteorology, wind is named after its origin. A north wind comes from the north and travels south; a north-westerly comes from the north-west and moves roughly towards the south-east.
This guide explains general conventions, not a live warning. Check the latest official forecast and warnings before any wind-sensitive activity.
The basic rule: name the source
Direction and speed are separate parts of the wind vector. “West, 20 km/h” means air arriving from the west. It does not mean wind travelling west. Combine origin with mean wind and gusts; the Beaufort scale adds a practical description of wind force.
Compass points and degrees
Degrees are measured clockwise from north: 0° or 360° is north, 90° east, 180° south and 270° west. The eight main sectors are:
| Direction | Code | Range |
|---|---|---|
| North | N | 337.5°–22.5° |
| North-east | NE | 22.5°–67.5° |
| East | E | 67.5°–112.5° |
| South-east | SE | 112.5°–157.5° |
| South | S | 157.5°–202.5° |
| South-west | SW | 202.5°–247.5° |
| West | W | 247.5°–292.5° |
| North-west | NW | 292.5°–337.5° |
Which way should the arrow point?
Interfaces do not all use the same graphic convention. Some arrows show the direction of travel; others resemble a wind barb or vane and indicate the source. Do not rely on the arrowhead alone. Read the legend and compare the symbol with the letter or degree value. If the forecast says NW or 315°, the unambiguous information is that the wind comes from the north-west.
Mean direction, shifts and variable wind
A forecast summarises an area and time period. Buildings, valleys, headlands and slopes can turn or channel the local flow. A veering or backing wind is changing direction. A wide, frequent oscillation may be labelled variable or VRB; that does not automatically mean calm.
Check the timeline too. A forecast shift from west to north during the afternoon may matter more than the starting value. On a coast, the same easterly can be onshore, offshore or cross-shore depending on how the shoreline is oriented.
Practical examples
- NW 25 km/h, gusting 45: air arrives from the north-west and heads roughly south-east; the gust figure describes brief peaks.
- E 90°: an easterly. It is onshore only where the sea lies east of the location.
- VRB 10 km/h: a changing direction with measurable wind, not necessarily calm.
Seven checks before you go
- Confirm place, date and forecast period.
- Read the source direction in letters or degrees.
- Check the arrow legend.
- Combine direction, mean speed and gusts.
- Look for forecast shifts and terrain effects.
- At the coast, add waves, tides and marine warnings.
- Always prioritise current official warnings.