Wind forecast Castledawson today

Wind in Castledawson right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Castledawson

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 2 and 22 km/h (1 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 41 km/h (25 mph) at Sun 16:00. 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 47 km/h (29 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 Castledawson

Castledawson is situated in County Londonderry, an inland location approximately 43 km from the coast. Wind patterns here are influenced by the broader regional climate of Ulster. While coastal areas of County Londonderry experience mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas like Castledawson typically see lower averages, around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will consistently exceed these mean wind speeds, particularly during strong weather systems. The prevailing winds across Ireland are westerlies, and Atlantic depressions frequently bring strong winds and rapid changes in conditions. Wind observations from nearby stations such as Belfast International Airport can provide an indication of approaching weather.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Castledawson generally follows that of the wider region. Winter months typically bring the strongest winds, often from southwesterly and northwesterly directions, associated with the passage of Atlantic weather systems. During these periods, gusts can be significantly higher than the average wind speed. In contrast, summer months tend to have lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on coastal areas of the county in the afternoons, which may have a diminished effect inland. The county's wind climate notes indicate that winter southwesterlies and northwesterlies are the primary drivers of strong wind events.

Exposure and shelter

As an inland town, Castledawson benefits from some shelter compared to the more exposed coastal areas of County Londonderry. The county's wind climate notes mention that the north-facing coast from Magilligan to Portstewart, with the Sperrin uplands behind, is very exposed to northwest wind. While Castledawson is not directly subject to this coastal exposure, local topography, including buildings and minor undulations in the landscape, will create areas of both shelter and localised funnelling. Wind speeds measured at 10 m, 80 m, and 120 m above ground level will show increasing speeds with height, as ground-level friction is reduced. The Foyle estuary, elsewhere in the county, is noted for remaining gusty.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several sectors in and around Castledawson. The agri-food sector, a key part of the county's economy, relies on wind data for timing activities such as spraying and silage. For building and roofing work, understanding wind speed and gust potential is important for operational planning. While tourism is a county-level economic sector, general outdoor activities like walking can be affected by wind chill. For those interested in water sports, Lough Neagh Antrim Shore, approximately 22 km away, is known for kitesurfing, where wind conditions are paramount. The nearest wind farm, Altahullion, approximately 27 km away, demonstrates the region's wind resource.

Near Castledawson

Castledawson is in Co. Derry / Londonderry, one of 18 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (26 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (48 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (48 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 27 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Castledawson

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