Definition
A compass direction halfway between south (180°) and west (270°), corresponding to a bearing of approximately 225°. In aviation use, SW commonly indicates wind direction, runway alignment, geographic position, or the direction of weather movement.
Plain English
The direction that sits midway between south and west — about 225 degrees on the compass.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather information, airport notes, chart notes, and NOTAM-style contractions where space is limited.
Why Pilots Care
Wind direction drives runway selection, crosswind calculations, and route planning. Knowing what SW means at a glance lets a pilot quickly interpret weather reports and choose the best runway for takeoff or landing.
Intuition Check
Do not assume SW always means “go toward the southwest.” In wind information, a SW wind means the wind is coming from the southwest.
Example Sentence 1
The METAR reported the wind from the SW at 12 knots, so we briefed runway 22 for departure.