Wind Direction

Wind direction is the direction from which the wind is blowing, reported in degrees clockwise from true north or as a compass point. In marine forecasts, a northerly wind comes from the north and blows towards the south, which is vital when assessing course, exposure and sea conditions.

For boaters, wind direction influences sail choice, tacking angles, fuel use, anchorage protection and the comfort of a passage. It should be considered alongside True Wind Direction, Wind Speed and Weather Routing to judge whether a route is favourable, hazardous, or likely to produce wind against tide or current.

PredictWind displays wind direction in forecast maps, tables, graphs and GRIB downloads, helping crews compare model guidance and identify shifts before departure or offshore. High-resolution 1km Wind Maps are especially useful near coasts, headlands and channels where local terrain can bend or accelerate the breeze.