Wind forecast Carnlough today

Wind in Carnlough right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Carnlough

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 32 km/h (2 to 20 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 53 km/h (33 mph) at Sun 14:00. 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 Sun 4/10 with gusts to 62 km/h (39 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 25 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 Carnlough

Carnlough is a coastal settlement in County Antrim, where the mean 10 m wind speed along the coast is approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s. Wind speeds are generally higher at the coast than inland. The strongest winds typically occur during winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies, reflecting the influence of Atlantic depressions. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The wind data presented here provides current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts for Carnlough, offering a precise understanding of local wind patterns. Coastal stations and offshore buoys elsewhere in the county can provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Carnlough, consistent with much of Ireland, sees stronger and more frequent winds during the autumn and winter months. This is primarily due to the increased activity of Atlantic depressions. While the prevailing wind direction in County Antrim is southwesterly, winds can come from any direction. During summer, lighter winds are more common, and on warm, sunny afternoons, a sea breeze may develop. This local effect can bring cooler air inland from the sea, temporarily altering the general wind direction and strength. The 7-day gust forecast provides insight into anticipated short-term variations.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal location, Carnlough experiences direct exposure to winds from the sea. The degree of exposure will depend on the specific direction of the wind and the local topography. While coastal areas are generally windier, shelter can be found in the lee of hills or substantial buildings. Wind speeds can also be influenced by funnelling effects, where wind is channelled through gaps in terrain, potentially increasing its speed. The Antrim Plateau and Slemish elsewhere in the county are noted for their exposure. Knowing the local terrain is important for understanding how wind interacts with the immediate environment in Carnlough.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Carnlough. For the tourism sector, understanding wind conditions is important for outdoor activities, particularly those along the coast. The ports and shipping sector, including activities at nearby Larne Harbour and Ballycastle Harbour, relies on wind data for operational planning. Farmers in the agri-food sector use wind forecasts for tasks such as spraying and timing silage cuts, where wind speed and direction are critical. Building and roofing work also requires knowledge of wind conditions. For individuals, understanding wind chill is important for walking, and those involved in sea use activities benefit from precise wind data.

Near Carnlough

Carnlough is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (40 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (42 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (75 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 58 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Carnlough

Go deeper

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