I think it's more likely to be "quadrant, as in "astronomical quadrant":

horizon to east and west. By 3:15 p. m. they were advancing. rapidly and heavy rain was observed ... however **had north quadrant winds**, strong a?d perahtent. ...
docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/068/mwr-068-01-0030a.pdf

An astronomical quadrant is essentially a graduated quarter of a circle, set up to measure the altitude of celestial objects above the horizon. The graduations from 0 - 90° are on the circumference, or limb of the instrument, over which usually a sight or index arm moves.
http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/starry/quadrant.html

Astronomical Quadrant
....
Astronomical quadrants were most commonly used to measure the highest points at which stars appeared in the sky in their movement towards a known meridian. If the observer knew the latitude of the place where they were observing, they could obtain the exact location of a star or planet in the sky. With this information, it was possible to create a series of measurement tables allowing navigators to establish their latitude accurately.
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/biogs/P000395b.htm

Altitude sights were taken with a Plath micrometer sextant, generally three every day. ... if possible, when in **the north quadrant of the sky**. ...
links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1651-3215(1930)12%3C193%3AEAOHOD%3E2.0.CO%3B2-R

... sextant, timepiece, chip log and lead line to guide them. ... have dwindled down to 15 to 20knots and have begun **to come out of the north quadrant**. ...
www.sailopo.com/narc_stories.html