sometimes nor'easter, "gale or wind blowing from the northeast," 1794, from northeast.
Entries linking to north-easter
northeast n.
also north-east, "point or direction midway between north and east," Old English norþ-east; see north + east. As an adjective, "pertaining to or proceeding from or toward the northeast," by 1739. Related: Northeastern "pertaining to or in the direction of the northeast" (late 14c.); northeastward (1550s); northeasterly (1743).