Wind forecast Ballywalter today

Wind in Ballywalter right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballywalter

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 25 km/h (4 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 41 km/h (25 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 55 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 27 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Ballywalter

Ballywalter, a coastal settlement in County Down, experiences wind patterns influenced by its position on the Irish Sea. Winds here are typically part of larger Atlantic weather systems, with prevailing westerlies being common. The live wind data provided for Ballywalter shows current conditions, while the 48-hour table and 7-day gust forecast offer insight into short-term and medium-term wind behaviour. Gusts, which are sudden, brief increases in wind speed, will frequently exceed the mean wind speed. The county's coastal areas generally experience mean 10 m wind speeds in the range of 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas seeing slightly lower speeds. These figures are approximate and based on ERA5-like data for the county.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballywalter generally follows that of County Down, with winter months typically bringing the strongest winds. During this period, southwesterly and north-westerly winds associated with Atlantic depressions are most prominent. While the north coast of the county is particularly exposed, Ballywalter's coastal location means it is also subject to these stronger winter winds. In contrast, summer months often feature lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warmer afternoons, leading to a temporary increase in wind speed near the coast. These sea breezes are a localised phenomenon, driven by temperature differences between land and sea.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Ballywalter is exposed to winds from the Irish Sea. The degree of exposure will depend on the specific direction of the wind and the local topography. While the county notes mention that Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough offer some shelter, Ballywalter's direct coastal frontage means it can be quite open to winds arriving from the sea. Shelter from wind can be found in the lee of buildings or local terrain features. Strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts are noted as potential hotspots elsewhere in the county, particularly on the Ards peninsula, which may have implications for Ballywalter given its location. Wind chill can also be a factor, particularly in exposed coastal areas during colder, windier conditions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For Ballywalter, the wind forecast is relevant to several local activities. The fishing industry and marine leisure, including sailing, rely on accurate wind data for planning and operational safety. Farmers in the agri-food sector use wind information for tasks such as spraying and timing silage, where wind conditions directly impact effectiveness and drift. Building and roofing work also requires consideration of wind, particularly at height. For walking and other outdoor pursuits, understanding wind speed and direction is important for comfort and planning. Given Ballywalter's coastal location, any sea-based activities will be significantly influenced by the wind.

Near Ballywalter

Ballywalter 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) (26 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (49 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (121 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 101 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballywalter

Go deeper

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