I usually come from the south, What am I?

Question

I usually come from the south,

A howdy comes from my mouth.

But then I come from the north,

Or skywards from the earth.

I may be a jolly old jerk,

Or even a delay, at work.

What am I?

Answer 1

This might be...

Hiccup

I usually come from the south, A howdy comes from my mouth.

A hick is an American derogatory term for a Southerner

But then I come from the north, Or skywards from the earth.

Followed by up (up north or going up)

I may be a jolly old jerk,

A hiccup is an involuntary muscle jerk (but can be considered amusing)

Or even a delay, at work.

...And the word also means a small delay.