crosswind

A crosswind is an outside wind that blows across or against the direction of travel when flying, driving, or sailing. It can make things more difficult and require adjustments to be made.

When you're on a plane taking off or landing, your pilot might mention the crosswind. This is because strong winds blowing in from the side can make it harder for the plane to take off or land safely. The same thing applies if you're sailing a boat – a crosswind can push you sideways, making steering tricky. Even drivers of big trucks and buses need to be aware of crosswinds when driving on the highway. A strong crosswind might not just blow your car all over the road, but also make it harder for others to see where they're going too.