Wind forecast Annahilt today

Wind in Annahilt right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Annahilt

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 26 km/h (4 to 16 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 48 km/h (30 mph) at Mon 11:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 52 km/h (32 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 19 km/h (12 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Annahilt

Annahilt, a settlement with a population band of 1,000-2,000 in County Down, experiences wind patterns typical of an inland location in Ulster. The county's dominant wind direction is from the south-west. While coastal areas of County Down can see mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas like Annahilt typically experience lower speeds, around 4-5.5 m/s, according to approximate ERA5-like data for the county. Gusts will consistently exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger wind. The strongest winds in the region generally occur with winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies, driven by Atlantic depressions. Annahilt is approximately 20 km from the coast, which provides some moderation compared to direct coastal exposure.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Annahilt broadly follows that of County Down and Ireland as a whole. Winter months typically bring the strongest and most frequent winds, primarily from the south-west and north-west, associated with the passage of Atlantic low-pressure systems. These systems can generate significant gusts. As the year progresses into spring and summer, the frequency and intensity of strong winds generally decrease. Lighter winds are more common during these warmer months. Summer afternoons may occasionally see the development of localised sea breezes near the coast, but due to Annahilt's inland location, this effect would be minimal or non-existent in the town itself. Autumn sees a gradual return to stronger, more unsettled conditions.

Exposure and shelter

Annahilt's inland position, approximately 20 km from the coast, means it is less exposed than coastal areas of County Down. The general terrain around the town will influence local wind patterns, with any local topography, buildings, or tree lines providing shelter or, conversely, channelling effects. Wind speeds at ground level will be lower than those measured at standard meteorological heights of 10 metres, and significantly lower than those at 80 metres or 120 metres, which are relevant for wind energy. Shelter from obstructions can reduce wind speeds, while gaps between structures or valleys can sometimes funnel wind, leading to localised increases in speed. The prevailing south-westerly winds for County Down mean that features to the south-west of Annahilt would offer shelter, while those to the north-east might be in the lee.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind patterns is important for several activities in Annahilt. For the agri-food sector, a significant part of County Down's economy, wind forecasts are crucial for planning activities such as crop spraying and silage timing, where wind speed and direction directly impact efficiency and efficacy. Building and roofing work also relies on accurate wind information for safety and operational planning. While Annahilt is not coastal, the county's tourism sector benefits from wind data for outdoor activities elsewhere in the county. For general outdoor recreation, such as walking, awareness of wind speed and direction, including potential wind chill, is beneficial. Local sports clubs, including those playing GAA, would use forecasts to understand playing conditions.

Near Annahilt

Annahilt is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (22 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (29 km) and Ballyhaise (95 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 80 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Annahilt

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Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Annahilt, or read how the numbers above are made.