― WIND · CO. DONEGAL

Wind forecast Carndonagh today

Now 24 km/h SW, gusts 44 km/h (15 mph, gusts 27 mph) at Carndonagh (Carn Domhnach), Co. Donegal. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:15 Irish time.

Wind in Carndonagh right now

WIND AT 10 M24 km/h15 mphfrom the SW (219°)
GUST AT 10 M44 km/h27 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M40 km/h25 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M43 km/h27 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY06:00: 28 km/h (17 mph) from the SW, gusting 51 km/h (32 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONDerry/City Airport (EGAE, 24 km away): 33 km/h (21 mph) from the SW. Measured at 12:50, 25 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Carndonagh

Meteogram Carndonagh
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Carndonagh…

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

Wind rose Carndonagh
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Carndonagh…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 25 km/h (5 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Sun 14:00. 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 13:00 SW2314 mph4427 mph4025 mph
Sun 14:00 SW2516 mph4528 mph4226 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2314 mph4427 mph4226 mph
Sun 16:00 SW2113 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Sun 17:00 SW2113 mph3824 mph3824 mph
Sun 18:00 SW2214 mph4025 mph3824 mph
Sun 19:00 SW2113 mph4025 mph3824 mph
Sun 20:00 SW2113 mph3824 mph3723 mph
Sun 21:00 WSW2113 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3421 mph
Sun 23:00 WSW1912 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Mon 00:00 WSW2314 mph4327 mph4125 mph
Mon 01:00 WSW2415 mph4427 mph4125 mph
Mon 02:00 WSW1912 mph3723 mph3522 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3421 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3421 mph
Mon 07:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3522 mph
Mon 08:00 SW2214 mph4125 mph3824 mph
Mon 09:00 SW2113 mph3924 mph3622 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW1711 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Mon 11:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW149 mph2616 mph2717 mph
Mon 13:00 W149 mph2616 mph2516 mph
Mon 14:00 W127 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Mon 15:00 W159 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 16:00 W1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 17:00 W1711 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Mon 18:00 W138 mph2415 mph2415 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW127 mph2314 mph2314 mph
Mon 20:00 W138 mph2415 mph2415 mph
Mon 21:00 W138 mph2415 mph2516 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW138 mph2516 mph2616 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW138 mph2415 mph2616 mph
Tue 00:00 SW96 mph1811 mph2113 mph
Tue 01:00 SW106 mph2012 mph2214 mph
Tue 02:00 SW96 mph1711 mph2012 mph
Tue 03:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1912 mph
Tue 04:00 SW85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 05:00 SW85 mph159 mph1711 mph
Tue 06:00 WSW106 mph1811 mph2012 mph
Tue 07:00 WSW85 mph149 mph1811 mph
Tue 08:00 WSW106 mph1811 mph2314 mph
Tue 09:00 SW127 mph2113 mph2113 mph
Tue 10:00 WSW106 mph1811 mph1610 mph
Tue 11:00 SW96 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Tue 12:00 W117 mph2012 mph1912 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sat 10/10 with gusts to 53 km/h (33 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 28 km/h (17 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 4/105132 mph2817 mph SW
Mon 5/104427 mph2415 mph WSW
Tue 6/102817 mph1610 mph WSW
Wed 7/104629 mph2616 mph WNW
Thu 8/103824 mph2214 mph WSW
Fri 9/105232 mph2918 mph WSW
Sat 10/105333 mph3019 mph W

What the wind does in Carndonagh

Carndonagh, or Carn Domhnach, is located in County Donegal, a region known for its exposure to Atlantic weather systems. The town is situated approximately 3 km from the coast. County Donegal experiences a dominant south-westerly wind. The county's coastal areas typically have mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 6.5-8.5 m/s, with speeds falling to about 5-7 m/s a few kilometres inland. Gusts will consistently exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during the passage of Atlantic depressions. The live data on this page provides current observations, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust information for the town.

Seasonal pattern

Wind patterns in Carndonagh follow the general seasonal trends observed across County Donegal. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically experienced from November to February, driven by Atlantic depressions. Conversely, the period from June to August tends to be the lightest in terms of wind. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop along the coast, which may influence conditions in Carndonagh. Coastal observing stations, such as Malin Head, can provide early indications of approaching weather fronts, often leading interior locations by several hours.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Carndonagh's wind exposure is influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic. The county's deeply indented coastline and hills contribute to its overall high exposure. While the general county-level dominant wind is from the south-west, local topography can create variations. Shelter from the wind can be found in the lee of hills or buildings, where wind speeds may be reduced. Conversely, funnelling effects can occur in certain areas, potentially increasing wind speeds. The nearby Mamore Gap, approximately 10 km away, is a mountain pass that may experience different wind conditions compared to the town itself.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind conditions is important for several activities in Carndonagh. For the agriculture sector, timing for spraying and silage is critical, as strong winds can affect application and drying. Building and roofing work requires careful consideration of wind, especially at height, due to material handling. Given County Donegal's strong tourism sector, wind information is useful for those engaged in walking or golf, such as at Ballyliffin Golf Club. For those involved in fishing, particularly from Killybegs, or other sea-based activities, wind forecasts are essential for planning and operational decisions.

Near Carndonagh

Carndonagh is in Co. Donegal, one of 19 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Malin Head (14 km), City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (24 km) and Donegal Airport EIDL (METAR) (72 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Slieve Kirk Wind Farm, about 31 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Carndonagh

When is Carndonagh typically windiest?

Carndonagh generally experiences its strongest and gustiest wind conditions from November to February. This period is associated with the passage of Atlantic depressions. The lightest winds are usually observed from June to August, although sea breezes can occur on summer afternoons.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to County Donegal?

County Donegal, including the area around Carndonagh, experiences a dominant south-westerly wind. Strongest gusts are often associated with this general direction, particularly during the passage of Atlantic weather systems. Local topography can also influence gust direction and strength.

Where can I find the nearest measured wind data for Carndonagh?

The nearest observing station to Carndonagh is Malin Head, approximately 14 km away. Data from Malin Head can provide a good indication of regional wind conditions. City of Derry Airport (METAR) at about 24 km also provides measured wind data, though it is further inland.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Carndonagh, 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 13:15 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.