Wind forecast Bangor today

Wind in Bangor right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Bangor

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 20 km/h (2 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 13:00. 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 53 km/h (33 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 22 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 Bangor

Bangor, or Beannchar, is a coastal town in County Down, Northern Ireland. Wind conditions here are influenced by its proximity to the Irish Sea and the North Channel. As with most coastal locations in Ireland, wind speeds tend to be higher than inland areas. The county experiences mean 10 m wind speeds roughly between 5.5-7.5 m/s along its coastline, with inland areas seeing approximately 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The strongest winds typically occur during winter, often associated with southwesterly and north-westerly airflows. Coastal observing stations, such as George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC, can provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts, often registering changes several hours before interior locations.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Bangor follows the general trend for Ireland, with stronger and more frequent winds during the autumn and winter months, typically from October to March. During these periods, Atlantic depressions bring prevailing southwesterly winds, which can be particularly strong. As the county's dominant wind direction is SW, this influence is notable. Spring and summer generally see lighter winds, though strong gusts can still occur. Summer afternoons may also experience sea breezes, a localised wind pattern where cooler air from the sea moves inland, often resulting in a noticeable, though usually moderate, increase in wind speed near the coast. These breezes are typically strongest on warm, sunny days.

Exposure and shelter

Bangor's coastal location means it is generally exposed to winds from the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The degree of exposure can vary depending on the specific direction of the wind and local topography. While coastal areas are typically windier, shelter can be found in the lee of buildings or higher ground. Belfast Lough, for instance, offers some partial shelter compared to more exposed stretches of the coast. Elsewhere in County Down, areas like the Ards peninsula can experience strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts. The immediate vicinity of Bangor Marina is likely to experience local effects of funnelling or sheltering depending on the wind direction and the layout of structures.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several sectors in Bangor. For sailing and marine leisure, including activities at Bangor Marina, understanding wind speed and direction is critical for passage planning and safety. The fishing industry also relies on forecasts for operational decisions. For farming, wind data is important for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can hinder operations. In the tourism sector, wind conditions affect outdoor activities. Building and roofing work requires wind information for planning and operational safety. For general outdoor activities like walking, knowing the wind strength helps in preparing for wind chill, especially in exposed areas.

Near Bangor

Bangor 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) (35 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (105 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 84 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Bangor

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