Wind forecast Dundonald today

Wind in Dundonald right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Dundonald

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 22 km/h (3 to 14 mph), mostly from the NW. The strongest gust is 42 km/h (26 mph) at Mon 05:00. 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 48 km/h (30 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 Dundonald

Dundonald, known in Irish as Dún Dónaill, is situated in County Down, Northern Ireland. Wind conditions here are influenced by its inland location, approximately 6 kilometres from the coast. While coastal areas of County Down experience mean 10-metre wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 metres per second, inland areas like Dundonald typically see lower averages, around 4-5.5 metres per second. However, gusts can significantly exceed these mean speeds, particularly during the passage of Atlantic depressions. The county's dominant wind direction is from the south-west, which often brings the strongest winds during winter months. Wind patterns in Dundonald will reflect these broader county-level trends, with variations due to local topography and urban development.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Dundonald generally follows that of County Down and the wider region. Winter typically brings the strongest and most frequent winds, predominantly from the south-west and north-west, associated with Atlantic low-pressure systems. These can lead to higher average wind speeds and more pronounced gusts. As the year progresses into spring and autumn, wind conditions remain variable but tend to be less severe than in winter. Summer months generally experience lighter winds, though sea breezes can develop on warm afternoons, influencing areas closer to the coast. However, Dundonald's inland position means these sea breeze effects may be less pronounced than in directly coastal settlements.

Exposure and shelter

Dundonald's location 6 kilometres from the coast means it benefits from some shelter compared to directly exposed coastal sites in County Down. While the county's coastline faces the Irish Sea and the North Channel, Dundonald itself is not directly exposed to these maritime influences. Urban development and local terrain can provide localised shelter or, conversely, create funnelling effects that may increase wind speed in specific areas. Strong south-westerly and north-westerly winds, common in winter, will be felt, but their intensity may be moderated compared to more exposed parts of the county. The general principle is that wind speeds tend to decrease inland from the coast, and this applies to Dundonald.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Dundonald. For the agri-food sector, understanding wind speed and direction is crucial for tasks such as crop spraying and silage timing, ensuring optimal conditions and minimising drift. Building and roofing work requires wind data for safety and planning, particularly when working at height. For farming activities, wind forecasts aid in managing livestock and planning outdoor work. While not directly coastal, the proximity to Belfast Lough means that those involved in sailing and marine leisure in the county benefit from understanding wind conditions, even if operating from nearby coastal access points. General outdoor activities like walking also benefit from awareness of wind chill and gust potential.

Near Dundonald

Dundonald 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) (6 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (28 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (101 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 80 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Dundonald

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