― WIND · CO. ANTRIM · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Ballymoney today

Now 14 km/h SSW, gusts 28 km/h (9 mph, gusts 17 mph) at Ballymoney (Baile Monaidh), Co. Antrim. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.

Wind in Ballymoney right now

WIND AT 10 M14 km/h9 mphfrom the SSW (196°)
GUST AT 10 M28 km/h17 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M26 km/h16 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M28 km/h17 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY08:00: 25 km/h (16 mph) from the S, gusting 48 km/h (30 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONDerry/City Airport (EGAE, 42 km away): 28 km/h (17 mph) from the SW. Measured at 14:20, 12 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballymoney

Meteogram Ballymoney
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Ballymoney…

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

Wind rose Ballymoney
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Ballymoney…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 20 km/h (3 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Mon 02:00. 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 14:00 SSW138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Sun 15:00 SSW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Sun 17:00 SSW1610 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Sun 18:00 SSW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW1912 mph3723 mph3321 mph
Sun 20:00 SSW1811 mph3622 mph3321 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW159 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Sun 22:00 SSW1610 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Sun 23:00 SSW1610 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Mon 00:00 SSW1610 mph3119 mph3119 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW1610 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Mon 02:00 SW2012 mph4025 mph3723 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph3019 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1711 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1912 mph3723 mph3522 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Mon 07:00 SSW149 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1711 mph3321 mph3220 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1711 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1711 mph3321 mph3019 mph
Mon 11:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Mon 12:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Mon 13:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Mon 14:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 15:00 NW85 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Mon 16:00 WNW96 mph1912 mph1811 mph
Mon 17:00 WNW74 mph149 mph149 mph
Mon 18:00 W85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW53 mph106 mph117 mph
Mon 20:00 WSW53 mph106 mph85 mph
Mon 21:00 WSW74 mph159 mph127 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW74 mph149 mph138 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW74 mph138 mph127 mph
Tue 00:00 WSW85 mph159 mph149 mph
Tue 01:00 WSW74 mph149 mph138 mph
Tue 02:00 WSW64 mph127 mph127 mph
Tue 03:00 SW64 mph127 mph127 mph
Tue 04:00 SW74 mph149 mph127 mph
Tue 05:00 SW53 mph117 mph106 mph
Tue 06:00 SSW53 mph106 mph96 mph
Tue 07:00 SSW53 mph117 mph85 mph
Tue 08:00 SW53 mph96 mph106 mph
Tue 09:00 SSW53 mph106 mph85 mph
Tue 10:00 SW64 mph127 mph96 mph
Tue 11:00 W117 mph2113 mph2012 mph
Tue 12:00 WNW96 mph1811 mph159 mph
Tue 13:00 NW96 mph2012 mph1610 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sun 4/10 with gusts to 48 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 25 km/h (16 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 4/104830 mph2516 mph S
Mon 5/104025 mph2012 mph SW
Tue 6/102516 mph149 mph W
Wed 7/104427 mph2516 mph WNW
Thu 8/104629 mph2717 mph WSW
Fri 9/104830 mph2817 mph WSW
Sat 10/104125 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Ballymoney

Ballymoney, or Baile Monaidh, is located in County Antrim, Ulster, 16 km from the coast. As an inland location, it experiences wind patterns that differ from coastal areas. While the general atmospheric circulation over Ireland brings prevailing westerly and southwesterly winds, local topography can modify these. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed at any given time. The strongest winds in County Antrim generally occur with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies. The Wind Agent provides precise wind data for Ballymoney, displaying current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts, offering detailed insight into the wind's behaviour in this specific location.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballymoney aligns with the broader Irish climate, where Atlantic depressions bring the strongest winds during the autumn and winter months. Southwesterly winds are dominant across County Antrim. While summer generally brings lighter winds, a sea breeze can develop on warm, sunny afternoons, potentially influencing conditions even 16 km inland. However, this effect is typically less pronounced than directly on the coast. The county's coastal mean 10 m wind is approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s, while inland areas like Ballymoney experience around 4-5.5 m/s, reflecting the seasonal and geographical variations in wind strength.

Exposure and shelter

Ballymoney's inland location 16 km from the coast means it is generally less exposed to direct oceanic winds than coastal areas of County Antrim. Wind speeds are typically lower inland compared to the coast. Local terrain features, even subtle ones, can provide shelter or, conversely, channel wind, increasing its speed. While the Antrim Plateau and Slemish elsewhere in the county are noted for exposure, Ballymoney's specific micro-climate will be influenced by its immediate surroundings. Buildings and local topography can create areas of shelter or funnelling, affecting the wind experienced at ground level. The Wind Agent's data reflects the specific conditions at 10m, 80m, and 120m.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind data is valuable for various activities in Ballymoney. For the local agri-food sector and farming, wind information is critical for planning spraying, silage timing, and managing livestock, as strong winds can cause wind chill. Building and roofing work requires accurate wind forecasts for operational safety and material handling. For the general public, understanding wind conditions is important for outdoor activities like walking, and for assessing wind chill. Although not coastal, wind data is relevant for those travelling to nearby coastal spots like Coleraine Harbour or Portrush East Strand. The county's wind energy sector also relies on accurate wind data for operational efficiency.

Near Ballymoney

Ballymoney is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (42 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (50 km) and Malin Head (62 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 29 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballymoney

When is it windiest in Ballymoney?

Consistent with the wider region, Ballymoney generally experiences its strongest winds during the autumn and winter months, driven by Atlantic depressions. Southwesterly and north-westerly winds are typically associated with higher wind speeds in County Antrim.

Which direction brings the strongest gusts to Ballymoney?

Across County Antrim, the strongest winds, and therefore gusts, are typically associated with southwesterly and north-westerly airflows. However, local topography in Ballymoney can modify these effects, channelling or sheltering from specific directions.

Where can I get the nearest official wind measurement to Ballymoney?

The nearest observing stations providing official METAR data are City of Derry Airport (EGAE) approximately 42 km away, and Belfast International Airport (EGAA) approximately 50 km away. Malin Head, 62 km distant, also provides valuable regional data.

Go deeper

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

Measurement · how the environment affects wind dataSiting and exposure: why location changes the readingWind measurements are highly sensitive to their immediate surroundings. Obstacles, terrain, and proximity to the coast all influence observed wind speeds and directions, making careful siting crucial for representative data. The instrument accounts for these factors in its data presentation.Read Fundamentals · where the ground meets the windFriction and the atmospheric boundary layerThe atmospheric boundary layer is the lowest part of the atmosphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface. Within this layer, friction slows and turns the wind, creating shear and turbulence that are critical for surface operations.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 14:31 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.