Wind forecast Carrickfergus today

Wind in Carrickfergus right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Carrickfergus

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 24 km/h (2 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 03:00. 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 21 km/h (13 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus, or Carraig Fhearghais, is a coastal town in County Antrim. Its location on the coast means it is subject to the general wind patterns affecting Ulster. Wind speeds are typically higher on the coast than inland. The county experiences mean 10-metre wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 metres per second on the coast, with inland areas seeing around 4-5.5 metres per second. Gusts will always exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during strong weather systems. Winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies are associated with the strongest wind events. Coastal stations, such as those at George Best Belfast City Airport, can provide an early indication of approaching fronts several hours before they reach inland areas.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Carrickfergus generally follows that of County Antrim, with stronger winds typically occurring in winter. Atlantic depressions frequently track across Ireland, bringing increased wind activity, particularly from the south-west. Summer months tend to be calmer, though sea breezes can develop on warm afternoons, offering local variations to the prevailing wind direction. These localised breezes are a result of differential heating between land and sea. The county's wind climate notes that winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies are the primary drivers of the strongest winds.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Carrickfergus is generally exposed to winds from the sea. However, the specific exposure depends on the orientation of the coastline and any local terrain features. While the north coast of County Antrim is noted for its exposure, Belfast Lough, where Carrickfergus is situated, offers some degree of shelter compared to more open coastal stretches. Buildings and local topography can create localised areas of shelter or funnelling effects, influencing wind speeds at ground level. Wind speeds measured at 10 metres will be less affected by ground-level obstructions than those closer to the surface.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For Carrickfergus, wind information is relevant across several sectors. The town's connection to the sea means wind forecasts are important for Carrickfergus Marina and for general ports and shipping activities. The tourism sector benefits from understanding wind conditions for outdoor activities. Farming, including spraying and silage timing, relies on wind data to optimise operations. Building and roofing work requires wind information for safety and planning. Additionally, local sports such as those played on GAA pitches, and general walking, can be affected by wind strength and direction. Wind energy is an economic sector in the county, indicating a broader awareness of wind resources.

Near Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (12 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (27 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (94 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 74 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Carrickfergus

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