Wind forecast Culmore today

Wind in Culmore right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Culmore

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 25 km/h (4 to 16 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 46 km/h (29 mph) at Mon 01:00. 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 Mon 5/10 with gusts to 46 km/h (29 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 Culmore

Culmore, or An Chúil Mhór, is situated in County Londonderry, a coastal area where wind patterns are influenced by proximity to the sea. The town is approximately 1 km from the coast. Coastal areas generally experience higher mean wind speeds compared to inland locations. In County Londonderry, coastal mean 10 m wind speeds are roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, while inland areas typically see around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts are a common feature of wind, often significantly exceeding the mean wind speed. The Foyle estuary, near Culmore, is noted for remaining gusty. Wind speeds are measured at standard heights, typically 10 m for surface observations and 80 m or 120 m for wind energy applications.

Seasonal pattern

Ireland's wind climate is dominated by westerly winds and Atlantic depressions, which bring stronger winds, particularly during the winter months. In County Londonderry, winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are associated with the strongest winds. The north-facing coast from Magilligan to Portstewart, with the Sperrin uplands behind, is very exposed to northwest wind. While Culmore is coastal, its specific exposure will depend on local topography. Summer months typically see lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on sunny afternoons, bringing a localized increase in wind speed near the coast. Coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts, often several hours before they reach inland areas.

Exposure and shelter

Culmore is a coastal town, approximately 1 km from the sea. Its exposure to wind will be influenced by the immediate coastline and any local terrain features. Coastal locations generally experience higher wind speeds due to less friction compared to inland areas. The county's dominant wind direction is SW. Elsewhere in County Londonderry, areas like the Binevenagh and Sperrins ridgelines are identified as gust hotspots due to funnelling and acceleration of wind. While these specific features are not in Culmore, local topography can create similar effects, leading to localized variations in wind speed and gustiness. Buildings and other structures can provide shelter from the wind, creating areas of reduced wind speed in their lee.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are valuable for various activities in and around Culmore. For the agri-food sector, wind speed and direction are important for timing spraying operations and silage making. The port and shipping industry in nearby Derry relies on accurate wind information for navigation and cargo handling. Engineering projects may require wind data for structural design and operational planning. For general farming, strong winds can affect livestock and crop management. Recreational activities, including those on GAA pitches or walking, can be impacted by wind chill and gust strength. Given Culmore's coastal location, sea-based activities would also benefit from precise wind forecasts.

Near Culmore

Culmore 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) (7 km), Malin Head (36 km) and Donegal Airport EIDL (METAR) (68 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Slieve Kirk Wind Farm, about 9 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Culmore

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