― WIND · CO. DONEGAL

Wind forecast Bundoran today

Now 25 km/h SW, gusts 40 km/h (16 mph, gusts 25 mph) at Bundoran (Bun Dobhráin), Co. Donegal. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.

Wind in Bundoran right now

WIND AT 10 M25 km/h16 mphfrom the SW (216°)
GUST AT 10 M40 km/h25 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M39 km/h24 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M42 km/h26 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY00:00: 27 km/h (17 mph) from the S, gusting 43 km/h (27 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONSligo Airport (EISG, 30 km away): 11 km/h (7 mph) from the SSW. Measured at 14:00, 36 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Bundoran

Meteogram Bundoran
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Bundoran…

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

Wind rose Bundoran
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Bundoran…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 30 km/h (2 to 19 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 46 km/h (29 mph) at Mon 08:00. 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 SW2616 mph4125 mph4025 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2415 mph3824 mph3723 mph
Sun 16:00 SW2113 mph3421 mph3522 mph
Sun 17:00 SW2314 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Sun 18:00 SW2314 mph3622 mph3522 mph
Sun 19:00 SW2012 mph3220 mph3321 mph
Sun 20:00 SW2113 mph3421 mph3421 mph
Sun 21:00 SW2415 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Sun 22:00 SW2516 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Sun 23:00 SW2314 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Mon 00:00 WSW2717 mph4125 mph4327 mph
Mon 01:00 SW2314 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Mon 02:00 SW2415 mph3723 mph3824 mph
Mon 03:00 SW2314 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Mon 04:00 WSW2616 mph3924 mph4025 mph
Mon 05:00 WSW2616 mph3924 mph4125 mph
Mon 06:00 WSW2717 mph4125 mph4125 mph
Mon 07:00 WSW2616 mph3924 mph3924 mph
Mon 08:00 WSW3019 mph4629 mph4427 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW2717 mph4125 mph4025 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW2717 mph4125 mph4025 mph
Mon 11:00 SW2516 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2314 mph3522 mph3522 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2012 mph3019 mph3119 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2113 mph3220 mph3220 mph
Mon 15:00 WNW2012 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 16:00 WNW2012 mph3119 mph2717 mph
Mon 17:00 WNW159 mph2314 mph1912 mph
Mon 18:00 NW138 mph2012 mph1610 mph
Mon 19:00 NW138 mph2012 mph1711 mph
Mon 20:00 NW106 mph1610 mph149 mph
Mon 21:00 WNW106 mph1711 mph149 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW85 mph138 mph106 mph
Mon 23:00 NW106 mph1610 mph138 mph
Tue 00:00 NW85 mph138 mph106 mph
Tue 01:00 W32 mph64 mph53 mph
Tue 02:00 WNW53 mph85 mph74 mph
Tue 03:00 WNW74 mph117 mph96 mph
Tue 04:00 WSW64 mph127 mph85 mph
Tue 05:00 WNW85 mph138 mph106 mph
Tue 06:00 SSW64 mph106 mph85 mph
Tue 07:00 SSW96 mph138 mph117 mph
Tue 08:00 NNW85 mph149 mph127 mph
Tue 09:00 NW127 mph1912 mph159 mph
Tue 10:00 NNW127 mph1912 mph1610 mph
Tue 11:00 NNW159 mph2314 mph2012 mph
Tue 12:00 NNW96 mph1610 mph127 mph
Tue 13:00 NW159 mph2516 mph2012 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sat 10/10 with gusts to 54 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 29 km/h (18 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 4/104327 mph2717 mph SSW
Mon 5/104629 mph3019 mph WSW
Tue 6/102918 mph1610 mph WNW
Wed 7/104125 mph2214 mph WNW
Thu 8/103824 mph2113 mph S
Fri 9/105132 mph2717 mph W
Sat 10/105434 mph2918 mph W

What the wind does in Bundoran

Bundoran, or Bun Dobhráin, is located on the coast of County Donegal, a county known for its significant wind exposure. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, influenced by the North Atlantic. In County Donegal, the dominant wind direction is southwest. This means that Bundoran frequently experiences winds from this quadrant. While average wind speeds across the county's coastline are approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, gusts can be considerably higher than the mean wind speed, particularly during Atlantic depressions. The live numbers for Bundoran provide current wind conditions, while the 48-hour table and 7-day gusts offer insight into recent patterns and potential for stronger, short-duration increases in wind speed.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Bundoran generally follows that of County Donegal. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically observed from November to February, coinciding with the passage of Atlantic depressions. During these months, wind speeds can be elevated and gusts more frequent and intense. Conversely, the period from June to August tends to be the lightest in terms of wind. However, even in summer, coastal areas like Bundoran can experience a sea breeze effect, which can lift wind speeds in the afternoons. This local phenomenon is driven by temperature differences between the land and the sea.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Bundoran is directly exposed to winds from the Atlantic. The county's coastline is deeply indented, contributing to high exposure on many headlands. Wind exposure can vary significantly depending on the immediate surroundings. While open coastal areas will experience the full force of the wind, shelter can be found in the lee of buildings or local terrain features. Wind speeds measured at 10 metres above ground level are generally higher than those closer to the surface due to reduced friction. The presence of hills elsewhere in the county, such as Errigal and Slieve League, indicates that terrain can significantly influence local wind patterns, though their direct effect on Bundoran would be limited by distance.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind information is valuable for several local activities in Bundoran. Given the town's coastal location and its association with surf tourism, understanding wind direction and strength is critical for surfers to assess wave conditions and for general sea use. For golf at Bundoran Golf Club, wind affects ball flight and course play. In the broader county, fishing operations, particularly from Killybegs, rely on wind forecasts for operational planning. Agriculture, including activities like spraying and silage timing, is also sensitive to wind conditions. For the wind energy sector, accurate wind data is essential for turbine operation and maintenance. Building and roofing work, as well as outdoor recreational activities like walking, also benefit from wind awareness.

Near Bundoran

Bundoran is in Co. Donegal, one of 19 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Finner (3 km), Sligo Airport EISG (METAR) (30 km) and Markree (35 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Barnesmore Wind Farm, about 36 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Bundoran

When is it windiest in Bundoran?

The windiest period in Bundoran, consistent with County Donegal's general climate, is typically from November to February. This is when Atlantic depressions are most frequent, bringing stronger winds and gusts. The lightest winds are generally experienced from June to August, although sea breezes can increase afternoon wind speeds along the coast.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Bundoran?

The dominant wind direction in County Donegal is from the southwest. Therefore, winds from the southwest are frequently associated with stronger conditions and can bring significant gusts, especially during periods of Atlantic depression activity. Exposure to other directions will depend on local coastal orientation.

Where can I get the nearest wind measurement for Bundoran?

The nearest observing station to Bundoran is Finner, located approximately 3 km away. This station provides local wind measurements. For broader regional data, Sligo Airport (METAR) at about 30 km and Markree at about 35 km also offer measured wind information. These can provide early warning for approaching fronts.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.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 14:35 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.