Wind forecast Downpatrick today

Wind in Downpatrick right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Downpatrick

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 SW. The strongest gust is 46 km/h (29 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 19 km/h (12 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Downpatrick

Downpatrick, or Dún Pádraig, experiences wind patterns influenced by its coastal proximity and location in County Down. The county's mean 10 m wind speed is approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s along the coast and 4-5.5 m/s inland. These figures are approximate and based on ERA5-like data. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed. Winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are generally associated with the strongest winds in the region. Coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often leading interior locations by several hours. The Wind Agent provides current wind speeds, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts for Downpatrick.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Downpatrick generally aligns with the broader Irish climate, characterised by stronger winds during the cooler months. Atlantic depressions frequently bring robust westerly winds across the island, particularly from autumn through spring. Summertime often sees lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warm afternoons, offering localised increases in wind speed near the coast. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest. While specific seasonal averages for Downpatrick are not available, the county-level data indicates that winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are typically the strongest. Gusts are a feature of all seasons but are more pronounced during periods of higher mean wind speeds.

Exposure and shelter

Downpatrick is coastal, located approximately 3 km from the coast. Its exposure to wind depends on the specific direction. Coasts generally experience higher wind speeds than inland areas due to less friction from terrain and buildings. Shelter can be found in the lee of hills or substantial structures. While Downpatrick itself is coastal, the county's coastline faces the Irish Sea and the North Channel. Elsewhere in the county, areas like Strangford Lough and the Ards peninsula can experience varied exposure, with the Ards sometimes seeing strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts. The Wind Agent provides data at 10 m, 80 m, and 120 m heights to help assess wind conditions at different levels of exposure.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several local activities in Downpatrick. For the agri-food sector, wind data is crucial for planning spraying operations, managing livestock, and timing silage. Tourism benefits from knowing wind conditions for outdoor activities. Fishing and sailing & marine leisure activities, particularly given the nearby Strangford Harbour and Tyrella Beach, rely on precise wind forecasts for operational planning and safety. Building and roofing work also requires wind information to assess working conditions. For walking and other outdoor pursuits, understanding wind speed and direction, including potential wind chill, contributes to planning and comfort. Golfers at nearby Ardglass Golf Club may also find wind data useful.

Near Downpatrick

Downpatrick 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) (34 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (49 km) and Dublin Airport (106 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 101 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Downpatrick

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