Wind direction in relation to waves

[Buc-Eye]

Rick,
Lookup Fetch or Fetch Length... (The fetch, also called the fetch length, is the length of water over which a given wind has blown.)

The longer the fetch length and higher the wind speed the bigger the waves. So a N,NE,E wind of say 20 mph would make for higher waves in the south passage near Kelley's than say a S, SW or even a W 20 mph wind.