Wind forecast Ballymena today

Wind in Ballymena right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballymena

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 18 km/h (2 to 11 mph), mostly from the SSW. The strongest gust is 37 km/h (23 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 49 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 23 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 Ballymena

Ballymena, or An Baile Meánach, is located inland in County Antrim, approximately 23 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are generally less exposed than coastal areas of the county. The prevailing wind direction across Ireland is from the west or southwest, and this is also the dominant wind direction for County Antrim. Therefore, Ballymena frequently experiences winds from these directions. While inland, gusts can still significantly exceed the mean wind speed, especially during the passage of Atlantic depressions. The Wind Agent provides current wind speeds, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts, which are important for understanding both the sustained wind and the short, powerful increases in speed.

Seasonal pattern

Wind patterns in Ballymena follow the general Irish seasonal trend, with stronger and more frequent winds typically occurring from autumn through to spring. Winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are noted to bring the strongest wind conditions to County Antrim. Summer months generally see lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warmer afternoons at the coast. As Ballymena is inland, the direct influence of a sea breeze is diminished, but regional pressure gradients can still drive local wind patterns. The overall wind climate for inland County Antrim is approximated at 4-5.5 m/s mean wind speed at 10 m height.

Exposure and shelter

Ballymena's inland location means it benefits from some shelter compared to the more exposed coastal areas of County Antrim. However, local topography can influence wind flow. While not directly on the coast, the town is within reach of regional wind patterns. The Antrim Plateau and Slemish, a mountain approximately 7 km away, are exposed features in the county and can influence wind flow in the wider area. Wind speeds can be reduced by obstacles such as buildings or hills, creating areas of shelter. Conversely, wind can be channelled or accelerated by gaps in terrain or between structures, leading to localised increases in speed and gustiness.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several sectors in Ballymena and County Antrim. In agri-food, farmers use wind information for planning spraying operations, timing silage cutting, and managing livestock. The aerospace & engineering sector, including operations at nearby Belfast International Airport, relies on precise wind data for flight planning and ground operations. For the wind energy sector, understanding wind patterns is critical for turbine efficiency and maintenance, with Altahullion Wind Farm being the nearest facility. Building and roofing work requires wind data for safety and material handling. For leisure activities like walking or general outdoor pursuits, wind forecasts help in planning and preparing for conditions, including potential wind chill.

Near Ballymena

Ballymena is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (23 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (38 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (60 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 41 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballymena

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