Wind forecast Derry today

Wind in Derry right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Derry

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 22 km/h (2 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Sun 15:00. 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 46 km/h (29 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.

What the wind does in Derry

Derry, known in Irish as Doire, is located in County Londonderry, Ulster. The city is situated approximately 7 km from the coast, placing it inland but still within the influence of Atlantic weather systems. Wind patterns in Derry are primarily shaped by prevailing westerlies, which are common across Ireland, particularly during the passage of depressions. While coastal areas generally experience higher mean wind speeds, Derry's inland location means it typically sees somewhat lower average wind speeds compared to the exposed coast of County Londonderry. Gusts, which are sudden, brief increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed and can be influenced by local topography. The Foyle estuary, located nearby, is noted as remaining gusty, indicating that this feature can influence local wind conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Derry largely mirrors that of County Londonderry and wider Ireland. The strongest winds are typically observed during the winter months, driven by southwesterly and northwesterly airflows associated with Atlantic depressions. These systems bring increased wind speeds and more frequent gusts. Conversely, summer months tend to be calmer, although local thermal effects can sometimes generate a sea breeze, particularly on warm, sunny afternoons. This effect, originating from the nearby coast, can bring a localised increase in wind speed. The county's coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often leading the interior by several hours.

Exposure and shelter

Derry's position 7 km inland provides some degree of shelter compared to the highly exposed north-facing coast of County Londonderry. However, the city is not entirely sheltered from strong winds. While the Sperrin uplands are noted as being behind the north-facing coast elsewhere in the county, their influence on Derry's immediate wind environment would be indirect. Local features, such as buildings and the urban landscape, can create localised areas of shelter or, conversely, funnel wind, leading to increased speeds in specific corridors. The Foyle estuary is identified as a feature that can maintain gusty conditions, suggesting that areas along it may experience less shelter from wind.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several sectors in Derry. For the agri-food sector, understanding wind conditions is crucial for activities like crop spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can affect application efficacy or drying. The tourism sector benefits from wind information for planning outdoor activities. The engineering sector, particularly in construction, uses wind data for structural integrity assessments and managing site operations. Given the presence of Derry Port, wind forecasts are essential for port and shipping operations, influencing vessel movements and cargo handling. Additionally, general outdoor activities such as walking, and the management of GAA pitches, can be significantly impacted by wind strength and direction.

Near Derry

Derry 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) (11 km), Malin Head (41 km) and Donegal Airport EIDL (METAR) (66 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Slieve Kirk Wind Farm, about 7 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Derry

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