Wind forecast Ballyshannon today

Wind in Ballyshannon right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballyshannon

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 WSW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Sun 15:00. 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 52 km/h (32 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 26 km/h (16 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon, or Béal Átha Seanaidh, is located in County Donegal, a county known for its exposure to Atlantic weather systems. Wind observations for Ballyshannon will reflect the general pattern for coastal areas in the north of Ireland. The prevailing wind direction across Ireland is westerly to south-westerly, bringing air masses from the Atlantic. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed. The live numbers on this page provide current wind conditions, while the 48-hour table and 7-day gusts give an indication of recent trends. Wind speeds are generally higher at greater heights, such as 10 m, 80 m, or 120 m above ground level.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballyshannon generally aligns with the county-level climate. Strongest and gustiest conditions are typically observed from November to February, driven by Atlantic depressions. Conversely, the period from June to August tends to be the lightest in terms of wind speed. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop along the coast, which may increase wind speeds in coastal areas. Coastal stations and offshore buoys, such as Finner, can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often several hours before they reach inland locations. The county's coastal mean 10 m wind is approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, falling to about 5-7 m/s a few kilometres inland.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Ballyshannon is subject to varying degrees of exposure depending on local topography. County Donegal is the most northerly county in Ireland, with a deeply indented Atlantic coast, leading to high exposure on many headlands. While Ballyshannon is coastal, local features such as buildings or hills can provide shelter, creating areas of reduced wind speed in their lee. Conversely, funnelling effects, where wind is channelled between structures or terrain features, can locally increase wind speeds. The general county-level observation is that wind speeds can be higher on the coast compared to a few kilometres inland. The precise exposure in Ballyshannon will depend on the specific location within the town and the wind's direction.

Local uses of the wind forecast

The wind forecast is relevant for several activities in and around Ballyshannon. For farming, wind speed and direction are important for timing spraying and silage operations. Building and roofing work is also highly sensitive to wind conditions. Given the proximity to surf spots like Rossnowlagh and Bundoran, and Bundoran Golf Club, wind information is crucial for those engaged in surf and golf tourism. General outdoor activities such as walking can be affected by wind chill, especially in stronger winds. For sea use, including fishing, wind forecasts are essential for planning and safety. The wind energy sector, which is present in the county, also relies on accurate wind data.

Near Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon is in Co. Donegal, one of 19 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Finner (4 km), Sligo Airport EISG (METAR) (36 km) and Markree (40 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Barnesmore Wind Farm, about 32 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballyshannon

Go deeper

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