Wind forecast Coleraine today

Wind in Coleraine right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Coleraine

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 21 km/h (2 to 13 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 42 km/h (26 mph) at Mon 10:00. 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 57 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 Coleraine

Coleraine, or Cúil Raithin, is situated approximately 7 km inland in County Londonderry. The wind here is influenced by its proximity to the coast, with a general reduction in speed compared to exposed coastal areas. While the county experiences mean 10 m coastal winds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas like Coleraine typically see speeds around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during strong weather systems. The county's dominant wind direction is southwesterly, a common pattern across Ireland due to Atlantic depressions. These systems bring the strongest winds, often accompanied by rain. Wind speeds can vary significantly depending on local topography and the specific weather front approaching.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Coleraine largely mirrors that of County Londonderry, with winter typically bringing the strongest winds. Southwesterly and northwesterly winds are most prevalent and powerful during the colder months. During the summer, wind speeds generally decrease, though local thermal effects can lead to sea breezes on warm, sunny afternoons. These breezes typically develop when the land heats up more rapidly than the sea, drawing cooler air inland. While the county's north coast is exposed to these patterns, Coleraine's inland location provides some moderation. The overall pattern is one of higher wind energy in winter and lower in summer, with transitional periods in spring and autumn.

Exposure and shelter

Coleraine's inland position, 7 km from the coast, offers some shelter compared to the highly exposed north-facing coastline of County Londonderry. While the county's coastal areas are very exposed to northwest winds, Coleraine benefits from a degree of frictional drag over land. However, the town is still close enough to the coast to experience significant wind events. Local buildings and terrain can create microclimates of shelter or funnelling. Wind speeds can be higher over open ground and lower in the lee of structures or hills. Gusts can be particularly pronounced where wind is channelled or accelerated by local features, though specific hotspots like Binevenagh and Sperrins ridgelines are elsewhere in the county.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For farming operations in County Londonderry, including those near Coleraine, accurate wind forecasts are crucial for timing activities such as spraying and silage. High winds can make these tasks impractical or ineffective. The agri-food sector also considers wind for various outdoor operations. For the tourism sector, particularly around nearby spots like Portstewart Strand and Portstewart Golf Club, wind conditions affect visitor comfort and the feasibility of outdoor activities. Building and roofing work in Coleraine requires wind information for operational planning and safety. While Coleraine Harbour is a nearby spot, detailed sea use considerations are more pertinent to the immediate coastal areas. General walking and outdoor recreation also benefit from knowing expected wind conditions, especially wind chill.

Near Coleraine

Coleraine 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) (33 km), Malin Head (50 km) and Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (60 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 27 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Coleraine

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