Wind forecast Donaghadee today

Wind in Donaghadee right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Donaghadee

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 22 km/h (4 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 39 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 55 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 24 km/h (15 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Donaghadee

Donaghadee, or Domhnach Daoi, is a coastal town in County Down, Northern Ireland, with a population band of 5,000-10,000. Its direct coastal location means it experiences wind patterns characteristic of the Irish Sea and North Channel. The prevailing winds across County Down are generally from the southwest. Wind speeds are typically higher along the coast compared to inland areas, with county-level coastal mean 10m wind speeds estimated around 5.5-7.5 m/s. Gusts are a common feature of wind, often exceeding the mean wind speed, and can be particularly pronounced during frontal systems. The Wind Agent provides precise, localised data for Donaghadee, allowing users to observe current conditions, 48-hour trends, and 7-day gust patterns.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Donaghadee follows the general trend for Ireland, with stronger and more frequent winds typically occurring during the winter months. Atlantic depressions bring the most significant wind events, often characterised by strong southwesterlies and north-westerlies. These systems can lead to increased wind speeds and gusts along the coast. While the north coast of County Down is particularly exposed to these winds, Donaghadee's specific coastal orientation dictates its direct exposure. During the summer, wind speeds are generally lighter, although sea breezes can develop on warm, sunny afternoons, providing a localised increase in wind near the coast. These diurnal patterns are influenced by temperature differences between land and sea.

Exposure and shelter

Donaghadee's coastal position means it is directly exposed to winds from the Irish Sea and North Channel. The town's exposure will vary depending on the wind direction. While coastal areas generally experience higher wind speeds than inland locations, local topography can create areas of both increased exposure and shelter. For instance, buildings or landforms can provide shelter downwind, reducing local wind speeds. Conversely, funnelling effects can occur in certain configurations, potentially increasing wind speeds in specific areas. The county's wind climate notes indicate that the coast faces the Irish Sea and the North Channel, suggesting direct exposure to winds from these directions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind information is valuable for several activities in Donaghadee. For the agri-food sector in County Down, wind data is crucial for tasks like crop spraying and silage timing, where specific wind conditions are required. The fishing and sailing & marine leisure sectors, prominent in the county, rely on accurate wind forecasts for operational planning and safety at sea, including activities around Bangor Marina. Building and roofing work also benefits from knowing wind speeds, as strong winds can impact material handling and structural integrity. For walking and other outdoor pursuits, understanding wind chill and gust potential is important. Coastal stations and offshore buoys, like those near Belfast, can provide early warnings for approaching weather fronts.

Near Donaghadee

Donaghadee is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (22 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (44 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (113 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 93 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Donaghadee

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