― WIND · CO. ANTRIM · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Cushendall today

Now 14 km/h SW, gusts 29 km/h (9 mph, gusts 18 mph) at Cushendall, Co. Antrim. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is rising over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:45 Irish time.

Wind in Cushendall right now

WIND AT 10 M14 km/h9 mphfrom the SW (218°)
GUST AT 10 M29 km/h18 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M30 km/h19 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M33 km/h21 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY05:00: 29 km/h (18 mph) from the SSW, gusting 48 km/h (30 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCampbeltown Airport (EGEC, 46 km away): 13 km/h (8 mph) from the SSW. Measured at 13:20, 63 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Cushendall

Meteogram Cushendall
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Cushendall…

The next days at Cushendall: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Cushendall
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Cushendall…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Cushendall, from reanalysis.

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 29 km/h (4 to 18 mph), mostly from the WSW. 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.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 13:00 SSW85 mph2113 mph2214 mph
Sun 14:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph3220 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph3119 mph
Sun 16:00 SW2314 mph4025 mph3924 mph
Sun 17:00 SW2314 mph4025 mph4025 mph
Sun 18:00 SW2314 mph3924 mph3924 mph
Sun 19:00 SW2113 mph3622 mph3824 mph
Sun 20:00 SSW159 mph2616 mph2817 mph
Sun 21:00 SW149 mph2516 mph2717 mph
Sun 22:00 SSW138 mph2314 mph2516 mph
Sun 23:00 SW127 mph2214 mph2516 mph
Mon 00:00 SW138 mph2415 mph2717 mph
Mon 01:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3622 mph
Mon 02:00 WSW2415 mph4226 mph4528 mph
Mon 03:00 WSW1711 mph3019 mph3421 mph
Mon 04:00 SW138 mph2616 mph3019 mph
Mon 05:00 SW2415 mph4327 mph4528 mph
Mon 06:00 WSW2415 mph4125 mph4528 mph
Mon 07:00 WSW2918 mph5031 mph5132 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph3421 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW1912 mph3321 mph3421 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW2113 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2516 mph4427 mph4226 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2616 mph4427 mph4125 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2214 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2012 mph3421 mph3421 mph
Mon 15:00 NW1711 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Mon 16:00 WNW159 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Mon 17:00 WNW149 mph2314 mph2415 mph
Mon 18:00 W149 mph2314 mph2516 mph
Mon 19:00 W106 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Mon 20:00 WNW117 mph1912 mph2113 mph
Mon 21:00 WSW74 mph138 mph149 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW85 mph149 mph149 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW85 mph138 mph149 mph
Tue 00:00 WSW96 mph149 mph159 mph
Tue 01:00 WSW106 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 02:00 WSW127 mph1912 mph2012 mph
Tue 03:00 WSW117 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Tue 04:00 WSW138 mph2113 mph2214 mph
Tue 05:00 W127 mph2113 mph2113 mph
Tue 06:00 W127 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Tue 07:00 W127 mph1912 mph2012 mph
Tue 08:00 W149 mph2314 mph2415 mph
Tue 09:00 W106 mph1811 mph1912 mph
Tue 10:00 W96 mph1610 mph159 mph
Tue 11:00 W106 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Tue 12:00 WNW117 mph2012 mph1811 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sat 10/10 with gusts to 54 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 27 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/104830 mph2918 mph SW
Mon 5/105031 mph2918 mph WSW
Tue 6/102717 mph149 mph W
Wed 7/104830 mph2717 mph WNW
Thu 8/103924 mph2415 mph WNW
Fri 9/105031 mph2817 mph WSW
Sat 10/105434 mph3119 mph W

What the wind does in Cushendall

Cushendall, a coastal settlement in County Antrim, experiences wind patterns influenced by its position on the Irish Sea. County Antrim generally sees coastal mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas typically around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts, which are brief increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The strongest winds in the county generally occur during winter, associated with southwesterly and north-westerly flows from Atlantic depressions. Coastal stations and offshore buoys in the region often register changes in wind conditions several hours before inland locations, providing an early indication of approaching weather fronts.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Cushendall, typical of Ireland, sees stronger and more frequent winds during the autumn and winter months. This is primarily due to the increased activity of Atlantic low-pressure systems. Conversely, spring and summer generally bring lighter winds. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can develop along the coast, resulting in a localised increase in wind speed and a shift in direction. The prevailing wind direction across County Antrim is generally from the southwest, a common characteristic for much of Ireland due to its position relative to the Atlantic Ocean.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal location, Cushendall's exposure to wind can vary significantly depending on the wind direction. While the coast in County Antrim is generally exposed, local topography can create both sheltered areas and areas of increased wind speed. Wind can funnel along valleys or across exposed headlands. For example, elsewhere in the county, Garron Point is known as a gust hotspot. Shelter from hills or buildings can reduce wind speeds locally, particularly at ground level. Wind chill, the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposure to wind, can be a factor, particularly in open or elevated locations.

Local uses of the wind forecast

The wind forecast is relevant for several sectors in and around Cushendall. For the tourism sector, understanding wind conditions assists in planning outdoor activities and coastal visits. Sea users, including those involved in recreation or fishing, rely on wind data for operational planning. Farmers in the agri-food sector use wind information for tasks such as spraying and silage timing. Building and roofing work requires wind awareness for safety and operational efficiency. For general outdoor activities like walking or for local sports clubs, such as those using GAA pitches, wind data helps in planning and ensuring comfortable conditions.

Near Cushendall

Cushendall is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (48 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (53 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (70 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 56 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Cushendall

When is it windiest in Cushendall?

Typically, the windiest periods in Cushendall, as with much of Ireland, are during the autumn and winter months. This is when Atlantic low-pressure systems are most active, bringing stronger winds and more frequent gusts.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Cushendall?

Across County Antrim, the strongest winds are generally associated with southwesterly and north-westerly flows. These directions often bring the most significant gusts, particularly during winter. Local topography can also influence gust direction and intensity.

Where can I get the nearest measured wind data for Cushendall?

The nearest available measured wind data for the region can be obtained from meteorological observing stations such as Belfast International Airport EGAA, George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC, or City of Derry Airport EGAE. These stations provide METAR reports.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

Forecast: modelled wind from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0, underlying ICON, GFS and ECMWF model data), not a measurement at a site. Observation: airport METAR or buoy via aviationweather.gov and NDBC where one reports within 90 km. Heights are metres above ground. Missing values are UNKNOWN and never filled with zero. Last built 13:54 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.