southwesterly

adverb or adjective south·west·er·ly \ sau̇(th)-ˈwe-stər-lē \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of southwesterly

1 : from the southwest

2 : toward the southwest

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Recent Examples of southwesterly from the Web

With weak southwesterly flow aloft, thunderstorm cells will move slowly toward the northeast.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Storms, some with very heavy rain and flooding potential, likely at times through Saturday," 31 May 2018
As intensifying low pressure moves east out of Minnesota into northern Wisconsin during the next 24 hours, winds will become southwesterly and gradually strengthen, gusting over 30 mph Friday night into Saturday.

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Strengthening winds kick in later Friday, cold Easter ahead," 30 Mar. 2018
By Monday, the upper flow pattern will shift more southwesterly, allowing low pressure to develop in the central Plains and move northeast.

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Cool winds Sunday, and rain likely Monday," 25 Mar. 2018
Light southwesterly winds could also help keep temperatures steady or rising a degree or two.

— a. camden walker, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Potentially dangerous wind chills — well below zero at times — through at least Saturday night," 5 Jan. 2018
Winds will turn southwesterly overnight, bringing milder air Wednesday through Friday.

— gary lessor, courant.com, "Sunny, With Temps In The 30s For Tuesday," 12 Feb. 2018
Sunny skies are coupled with southwesterly (warm direction!) breezes around 10 mph, and mainly sunny skies!

— a. camden walker, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Snow to accumulate lightly this afternoon, with highest totals east and northeast," 15 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'southwesterly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.