Wind forecast Ballygowan today

Wind in Ballygowan right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballygowan

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 24 km/h (3 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 18 km/h (11 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Ballygowan

Ballygowan, or Baile Mhic Gabhann, is situated in County Down, Northern Ireland, in an inland location approximately 6 km from the coast. As with most inland areas in Ireland, wind speeds here are generally lower than those experienced directly on the coast. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, and these are typically the most frequent and strongest. Gusts will always exceed the mean wind speed, particularly in stronger winds. The wind data presented for Ballygowan provides current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust information to help understand both immediate and short-term wind patterns. The strongest winds are typically associated with Atlantic depressions, especially during the winter months.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballygowan generally follows that of County Down and wider Northern Ireland. Winter typically brings the strongest and most frequent winds, primarily from southwesterly and north-westerly directions, due to the passage of Atlantic depressions. Summer months tend to be calmer, though occasional strong winds can still occur. During warmer summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can sometimes be observed in coastal areas of County Down, though its influence would be diminished inland at Ballygowan. The mean 10 m wind speed in County Down is roughly 4-5.5 m/s inland, with coastal areas experiencing higher averages of 5.5-7.5 m/s, providing a general context for Ballygowan's wind climate.

Exposure and shelter

Ballygowan's inland location, approximately 6 km from the coast, means it is generally more sheltered than coastal areas of County Down. Local topography, such as hills and buildings, can create both shelter and funnelling effects, influencing wind speeds and directions at ground level. While the county's dominant wind direction is SW, local effects can modify this. Elsewhere in County Down, specific features like the Ards peninsula and Mourne passes can experience strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts due to their exposure. However, Ballygowan's specific exposure will be determined by its immediate surroundings. Wind chill can be a factor in colder, windy conditions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind conditions in Ballygowan is relevant for several local activities. For the agri-food sector, wind forecasts are crucial for planning activities such as crop spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can cause drift or make operations inefficient. Building and roofing work also benefits from accurate wind information, as high winds can pose risks to materials and personnel. While Ballygowan is not coastal, the broader county economy includes tourism, fishing, and sailing & marine leisure. Those involved in these sectors elsewhere in County Down rely on wind data for safety and planning. For general outdoor activities, knowing the wind strength helps in preparing for conditions, including potential wind chill.

Near Ballygowan

Ballygowan 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) (14 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (32 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (106 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 86 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballygowan

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