Wind forecast Antrim today

Wind in Antrim right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Antrim

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 2 and 21 km/h (1 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Sun 17:00. 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 22 km/h (14 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Antrim

Antrim, or Aontroim, is situated inland in County Antrim, approximately 21 km from the coast. Wind conditions here will generally be less pronounced than directly on the coastline. The county experiences a dominant south-westerly wind direction. While coastal areas of County Antrim can see mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas like Antrim typically experience lower averages, around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts can significantly exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during winter depressions. The town's position away from the immediate coast means it will often be somewhat sheltered compared to exposed coastal locations or higher ground elsewhere in the county.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Antrim, consistent with much of Ireland, shows stronger winds during the winter months. This is primarily due to the increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic depressions. These systems often bring strong south-westerly and north-westerly winds. Summer generally sees lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warmer afternoons near the coast, which might have a minor influence further inland. Coastal stations and offshore buoys in the wider county can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often leading interior locations by several hours. The county's wind climate notes indicate that winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies bring the strongest wind across County Antrim.

Exposure and shelter

Antrim's inland location provides some degree of shelter compared to the more exposed coastal areas of County Antrim. While the county's coastline from Larne to Portrush and the Antrim Plateau are noted for their exposure, Antrim itself is 21 km from the sea. The general terrain around the town will influence local wind patterns, with any hills or significant structures providing shelter in their lee, or potentially channelling wind in specific directions. Gust hotspots elsewhere in the county, such as Slieveanorra and Garron Point, are associated with funnelling effects over the Glens and across the Antrim plateau, but these are not directly applicable to Antrim town's immediate vicinity.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are relevant for several sectors in Antrim. For the agri-food sector, wind strength and direction are critical for timing activities such as crop spraying and silage, ensuring optimal conditions and preventing drift. The aerospace & engineering sector, with Belfast International Airport nearby, relies on precise wind data for operational planning. Building and roofing work in the town requires awareness of wind conditions for safety and material handling. For walking and outdoor activities, understanding wind chill and gust potential is important. While Antrim is not coastal, the broader county's tourism sector and wind energy interests also benefit from detailed wind information.

Near Antrim

Antrim is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (7 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (24 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (71 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 50 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Antrim

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