Wind forecast Castlerock today

Wind in Castlerock right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Castlerock

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 27 km/h (5 to 17 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 50 km/h (31 mph) at Mon 07:00. 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 Fri 9/10 with gusts to 56 km/h (35 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.

What the wind does in Castlerock

Castlerock, a coastal settlement in County Londonderry, experiences wind conditions typical of Northern Ireland's north coast. The prevailing winds are generally from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. As a coastal location, Castlerock is more exposed to wind than inland areas. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will frequently exceed the mean wind speed displayed. The strongest winds typically occur during winter, often associated with southwesterly and northwesterly airflows. Approximate county-level data suggests coastal mean 10 m wind speeds are around 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas seeing slightly lower speeds. The Wind Agent provides current wind measurements and a 48-hour table, alongside a 7-day gust overview, to help understand these conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Castlerock largely reflects the broader climate of County Londonderry and the north Atlantic. Winter months generally bring the strongest and most frequent winds, often from the southwest and northwest, as depressions track across the Atlantic. During these periods, the north coast, including Castlerock, is particularly exposed. Summer typically sees lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warmer afternoons, providing a localised increase in wind speed near the coast. These breezes are driven by temperature differences between the land and sea. Autumn and spring are transitional, with varying wind strengths and directions, though strong winds are still possible as weather systems become more active.

Exposure and shelter

Castlerock's coastal position means it is generally exposed to winds, particularly those from the north and west due to its north-facing coastline. The land rises behind the town, offering some degree of shelter from southerly winds, though the extent of this shelter depends on local topography and specific wind direction. Buildings and other structures within the settlement can create localised areas of shelter or funnelling, where wind speeds may be reduced or accelerated. The nearby Castlerock Beach and Castlerock Golf Club, being open areas, will experience the full force of the wind, especially from the sea. Understanding these local effects is important when interpreting wind data for specific activities.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For the agri-food sector in County Londonderry, wind forecasts are important for activities such as crop spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can affect application and drying. Tourism, supported by attractions like Castlerock Beach and Portstewart Strand, benefits from wind information for beach activities and golf at Castlerock Golf Club. For those involved in building and roofing, understanding wind speed and gusts is crucial for operational planning and material handling. Sea users in the area rely on wind forecasts for navigation and activity planning. Walkers can use the wind data to prepare for conditions, especially regarding wind chill, which can make cooler temperatures feel significantly colder.

Near Castlerock

Castlerock is in Co. Derry / Londonderry, one of 18 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (27 km), Malin Head (43 km) and Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (66 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 26 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Castlerock

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