― WIND · CO. DOWN · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Annalong today

Now 20 km/h SW, gusts 37 km/h (12 mph, gusts 23 mph) at Annalong, Co. Down. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:45 Irish time.

Wind in Annalong right now

WIND AT 10 M20 km/h12 mphfrom the SW (227°)
GUST AT 10 M37 km/h23 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M33 km/h21 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M35 km/h22 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY21:00: 23 km/h (14 mph) from the WSW, gusting 41 km/h (25 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONBelfast/Harbour Airport (EGAC, 56 km away): 24 km/h (15 mph) from the SW. Measured at 13:20, 36 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Annalong

Meteogram Annalong
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Annalong…

The next days at Annalong: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Annalong
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Annalong…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Annalong, from reanalysis.

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 2 and 26 km/h (1 to 16 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 46 km/h (29 mph) at Mon 16:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 13:00 SW2214 mph3924 mph3522 mph
Sun 14:00 SW2012 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2113 mph3723 mph3421 mph
Sun 16:00 SW2214 mph3924 mph3622 mph
Sun 17:00 SW1610 mph2918 mph2817 mph
Sun 18:00 WSW2314 mph4025 mph3824 mph
Sun 19:00 WSW2214 mph3824 mph3723 mph
Sun 20:00 SW2113 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Sun 21:00 WSW2314 mph4125 mph3924 mph
Sun 22:00 SW2214 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Sun 23:00 WSW2214 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Mon 00:00 WSW2616 mph4528 mph4427 mph
Mon 01:00 WSW2516 mph4427 mph4327 mph
Mon 02:00 WSW2415 mph4226 mph4125 mph
Mon 03:00 WSW2214 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Mon 04:00 SW2113 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Mon 05:00 SW2113 mph3622 mph3522 mph
Mon 06:00 SW2012 mph3622 mph3522 mph
Mon 07:00 SW2012 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1811 mph3321 mph3321 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3421 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph3220 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2314 mph4025 mph3824 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2214 mph4025 mph3824 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2113 mph3924 mph3622 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2214 mph4025 mph3723 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW2516 mph4427 mph4125 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW2616 mph4629 mph4226 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW2214 mph3924 mph3723 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW1610 mph2717 mph2817 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 20:00 NW138 mph2415 mph2616 mph
Mon 21:00 E42 mph127 mph53 mph
Mon 22:00 W32 mph127 mph64 mph
Mon 23:00 NNW1610 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Tue 00:00 NNW1610 mph2817 mph2415 mph
Tue 01:00 NW127 mph2314 mph1711 mph
Tue 02:00 NNW96 mph1811 mph149 mph
Tue 03:00 NNW117 mph2113 mph1711 mph
Tue 04:00 NNW127 mph2314 mph2012 mph
Tue 05:00 NNW96 mph1811 mph1711 mph
Tue 06:00 NNW96 mph1711 mph159 mph
Tue 07:00 SE42 mph85 mph74 mph
Tue 08:00 WSW64 mph106 mph64 mph
Tue 09:00 SW21 mph53 mph42 mph
Tue 10:00 WSW74 mph127 mph74 mph
Tue 11:00 NW96 mph1610 mph1610 mph
Tue 12:00 S85 mph159 mph159 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 28 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/104125 mph2314 mph WSW
Mon 5/104629 mph2616 mph WSW
Tue 6/102817 mph1610 mph NW
Wed 7/104025 mph2616 mph WNW
Thu 8/103924 mph2616 mph W
Fri 9/105031 mph3119 mph WSW
Sat 10/104830 mph3019 mph W

What the wind does in Annalong

Annalong, located on the County Down coast, experiences wind patterns influenced by its coastal position. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, bringing frequent Atlantic depressions. As a coastal location, Annalong will generally experience higher average wind speeds compared to inland areas. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed shown. Strongest winds are often associated with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies. The live data, 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecast provide current and projected wind conditions, which can vary significantly from day to day and hour to hour.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Annalong, like much of Ireland, shows a tendency for stronger winds during the autumn and winter months. This is due to the increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic depressions. Conversely, spring and summer generally bring lighter winds. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can develop, where local winds blow from the cooler sea towards the warmer land, often enhancing coastal wind speeds. This diurnal pattern is distinct from the broader synoptic wind, which is driven by larger weather systems. The county-level mean 10 m wind is approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s along the coast, with variations depending on local topography.

Exposure and shelter

Annalong's coastal location means it is exposed to winds from the Irish Sea. The degree of exposure will depend on the direction of the wind relative to the coastline and any local terrain features. While the town is coastal, specific areas within Annalong may experience some shelter due to buildings or local undulations in the landscape. Conversely, open areas directly facing the sea will likely be more exposed. Elsewhere in County Down, areas such as the Mourne passes can experience strong funnelled gusts, particularly from easterly or westerly directions. Coastal stations and offshore buoys often provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts, leading interior locations by several hours.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For the agri-food sector in County Down, wind forecasts are important for activities such as spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can affect application or drying. The fishing industry relies on accurate wind data for planning voyages and assessing sea conditions, as high winds can create hazardous waves. Tourism, including walking and general outdoor activities, benefits from wind information to prepare for conditions, especially considering potential wind chill. For sailing and marine leisure, wind speed and direction are critical for planning routes and assessing the suitability of conditions. Building and roofing work also requires wind data to ensure operations can proceed effectively.

Near Annalong

Annalong 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) (57 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (64 km) and Dublin Airport (79 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Bessy Bell Wind Farm, about 110 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Annalong

When is Annalong typically windiest?

Annalong generally experiences its strongest winds during the autumn and winter months. This is consistent with the broader pattern across Ireland, where Atlantic depressions are more frequent and intense during these seasons, bringing higher wind speeds and more frequent gusts to coastal areas.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Annalong?

The strongest gusts in Annalong are often associated with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies, which are the dominant strong wind directions across Ireland. However, local topography and the specific orientation of the coastline can influence how different wind directions affect the town.

Where can I find nearby measured wind data for Annalong?

The nearest observing stations that provide measured wind data are George Best Belfast City Airport (EGAC) at approximately 57 km away, Belfast International Airport (EGAA) at about 64 km, and Dublin Airport at around 79 km. These METAR stations offer official observations, which can provide an indication of regional wind conditions.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

Forecast: modelled wind from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0, underlying ICON, GFS and ECMWF model data), not a measurement at a site. Observation: airport METAR or buoy via aviationweather.gov and NDBC where one reports within 90 km. Heights are metres above ground. Missing values are UNKNOWN and never filled with zero. Last built 13:50 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.