Wind forecast Ballycastle today

Wind in Ballycastle right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballycastle

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 27 km/h (5 to 17 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 54 km/h (34 mph) at Mon 05:00. 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 67 km/h (42 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 31 km/h (19 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Ballycastle

Ballycastle, or Baile an Chaistil, is a coastal town in County Antrim. The wind climate here is influenced by its proximity to the sea and the broader weather patterns of Ulster. County Antrim generally experiences mean 10 m coastal wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas typically seeing around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will exceed these mean speeds, particularly during strong weather systems. Winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are associated with the strongest winds across the county. The coast from Larne to Portrush, which includes Ballycastle, is exposed to these conditions. When a front approaches, coastal stations and offshore buoys tend to register changes several hours before inland locations, providing an early indication for Ballycastle.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballycastle generally follows that of County Antrim, with stronger winds typically occurring in winter. During these months, southwesterly and north-westerly winds are prevalent and often bring the highest speeds. The Atlantic depression tracks commonly affect Ireland, leading to more frequent and intense wind events in the colder half of the year. In contrast, summer months often see lighter winds. Sea breezes can develop on warmer afternoons, particularly when general wind speeds are low, bringing a local onshore flow. These local effects can modify the broader synoptic wind patterns experienced in Ballycastle.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Ballycastle's exposure to wind is significant, particularly from northerly directions given the Causeway Coast's orientation. The nearby Ballycastle Harbour is also directly exposed to coastal winds. While the general county-level dominant wind direction is south-westerly, the local topography and coastline can modify this. Shelter from wind can be found in the lee of buildings or any elevated ground. However, the open coastal aspect means that exposure to strong winds, especially from the sea, is a key characteristic of the wind environment in Ballycastle. The Antrim Plateau, elsewhere in the county, is also noted for its exposure.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several activities in Ballycastle. For tourism, understanding wind conditions is important for visitors engaging in outdoor pursuits. The aerospace and engineering sector, along with agri-food businesses in the county, can use wind data for operational planning. The presence of wind energy as a county sector highlights the direct relevance of wind patterns. Ports and shipping, including activities at Ballycastle Harbour, rely on forecasts for navigation and cargo handling. Farmers consider wind for spraying and silage timing, while walkers use it for planning routes. For those using the sea, such as for fishing or recreation, wind forecasts are crucial for assessing conditions.

Near Ballycastle

Ballycastle is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (61 km), City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (61 km) and George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (69 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 52 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballycastle

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