― WIND · CO. DONEGAL

Wind forecast Dunlewy today

Now 23 km/h SW, gusts 45 km/h (14 mph, gusts 28 mph) at Dunlewy (Dún Lúiche), Co. Donegal. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.

Wind in Dunlewy right now

WIND AT 10 M23 km/h14 mphfrom the SW (220°)
GUST AT 10 M45 km/h28 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M41 km/h25 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M45 km/h28 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY22:00: 27 km/h (17 mph) from the SW, gusting 53 km/h (33 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONDonegal Airport (EIDL, 16 km away): 32 km/h (20 mph) from the SSW. Measured at 14:00, 33 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Dunlewy

Meteogram Dunlewy
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Dunlewy…

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

Wind rose Dunlewy
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Dunlewy…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 2 and 31 km/h (1 to 19 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 60 km/h (37 mph) at Mon 04:00. 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 14:00 SW2214 mph4427 mph4025 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2314 mph4528 mph4125 mph
Sun 16:00 SW2113 mph4125 mph3824 mph
Sun 17:00 SW2415 mph4729 mph4327 mph
Sun 18:00 SW2314 mph4528 mph4226 mph
Sun 19:00 SW2314 mph4528 mph4125 mph
Sun 20:00 SW2516 mph4930 mph4528 mph
Sun 21:00 SW2516 mph4830 mph4629 mph
Sun 22:00 SW2717 mph5333 mph4830 mph
Sun 23:00 SW2415 mph4830 mph4427 mph
Mon 00:00 SW3019 mph5937 mph5434 mph
Mon 01:00 SW2817 mph5635 mph5232 mph
Mon 02:00 SW2918 mph5735 mph5232 mph
Mon 03:00 WSW3019 mph5937 mph5333 mph
Mon 04:00 WSW3119 mph6037 mph5635 mph
Mon 05:00 WSW2918 mph5836 mph5232 mph
Mon 06:00 WSW3019 mph5937 mph5333 mph
Mon 07:00 WSW2817 mph5534 mph5031 mph
Mon 08:00 WSW2616 mph5232 mph4830 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW2616 mph5132 mph4629 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW2415 mph4629 mph4427 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2314 mph4528 mph4125 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW1912 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Mon 13:00 WNW149 mph2817 mph2415 mph
Mon 14:00 WNW138 mph2616 mph2314 mph
Mon 15:00 WNW149 mph2717 mph2516 mph
Mon 16:00 WNW149 mph2616 mph2516 mph
Mon 17:00 W138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 18:00 W96 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Mon 19:00 W96 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 20:00 WNW96 mph1811 mph1912 mph
Mon 21:00 W96 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 22:00 WNW74 mph149 mph1610 mph
Mon 23:00 W64 mph127 mph149 mph
Tue 00:00 WNW74 mph159 mph149 mph
Tue 01:00 W53 mph106 mph127 mph
Tue 02:00 SW74 mph138 mph149 mph
Tue 03:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 04:00 SW74 mph127 mph138 mph
Tue 05:00 SW32 mph64 mph85 mph
Tue 06:00 SW53 mph106 mph117 mph
Tue 07:00 SW42 mph96 mph96 mph
Tue 08:00 W32 mph74 mph85 mph
Tue 09:00 NW21 mph64 mph64 mph
Tue 10:00 WNW53 mph106 mph96 mph
Tue 11:00 NW106 mph2012 mph1711 mph
Tue 12:00 WNW127 mph2516 mph1912 mph
Tue 13:00 WNW127 mph2516 mph2012 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Mon 5/10 with gusts to 60 km/h (37 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 33 km/h (21 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 4/105333 mph2717 mph SW
Mon 5/106037 mph3119 mph WSW
Tue 6/103321 mph1711 mph W
Wed 7/104729 mph2616 mph WNW
Thu 8/104930 mph2817 mph SSW
Fri 9/106037 mph3321 mph W
Sat 10/105735 mph3119 mph W

What the wind does in Dunlewy

Dunlewy, or Dún Lúiche, in County Donegal, experiences wind patterns influenced by its inland location, approximately 13 km from the coast. While not directly coastal, it is still within a county known for its exposure to Atlantic weather systems. Wind speeds in Dunlewy will generally be lower than those experienced on the immediate coastline of Donegal, where coastal mean 10 m wind speeds are roughly 6.5-8.5 m/s, falling to about 5-7 m/s a few kilometres inland. Gusts, which are short, sharp increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed. The prevailing wind direction across County Donegal, and thus generally in Dunlewy, is from the southwest, bringing air from the Atlantic.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Dunlewy largely mirrors that of County Donegal. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically observed from November to February, coinciding with the passage of Atlantic depressions. During these months, wind chill can be a significant factor. Conversely, the lightest winds are generally experienced from June to August. While Dunlewy is inland, coastal areas of Donegal can experience a sea breeze effect during summer afternoons, which may slightly influence the broader regional air movement. Coastal stations and offshore buoys in Donegal can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often leading inland conditions by several hours.

Exposure and shelter

Dunlewy's exposure to wind is mitigated by its inland position compared to the highly exposed Atlantic coastline of Donegal. However, the presence of hills, such as Errigal approximately 2 km away, will influence local wind patterns. Terrain can create both shelter, on the lee side of hills, and funnelling effects, where wind speeds can increase as air is compressed through valleys or gaps. Buildings and other structures can also provide localised shelter. While the county is noted for gust hotspots like Malin Head and Bloody Foreland, these are elsewhere in the county and do not directly reflect conditions in Dunlewy itself. Local topography will be the primary determinant of specific exposure and shelter within the immediate vicinity of Dunlewy.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind conditions is relevant for several activities in Dunlewy and the surrounding area. For agriculture, wind forecasts are important for planning activities such as spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can affect application and drying. Building and roofing work also requires consideration of wind, particularly for safety and material handling. For those involved in tourism, including walking and exploring the nearby Errigal mountain, wind speed and direction, along with potential wind chill, are important for planning outdoor activities. The wind energy sector, which is present in County Donegal, also relies on accurate wind data for operational planning and efficiency.

Near Dunlewy

Dunlewy is in Co. Donegal, one of 19 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Donegal Airport EIDL (METAR) (16 km), Finner (59 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (60 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Cark Wind Farm, about 11 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Dunlewy

When is it typically windiest in Dunlewy?

Dunlewy generally experiences its strongest and gustiest winds from November to February, aligning with the broader seasonal pattern for County Donegal due to Atlantic depressions. Winds are typically lightest from June to August.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Dunlewy?

The prevailing wind direction in County Donegal is from the southwest. Winds from this direction, originating over the Atlantic, are generally associated with the strongest and gustiest conditions, particularly during the winter months.

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

The nearest official observing station providing measured wind data is Donegal Airport EIDL, approximately 16 km from Dunlewy. This station provides METAR observations, which are routine aviation weather reports.

Go deeper

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

Measurement · how the environment affects wind dataSiting and exposure: why location changes the readingWind measurements are highly sensitive to their immediate surroundings. Obstacles, terrain, and proximity to the coast all influence observed wind speeds and directions, making careful siting crucial for representative data. The instrument accounts for these factors in its data presentation.Read Fundamentals · where the ground meets the windFriction and the atmospheric boundary layerThe atmospheric boundary layer is the lowest part of the atmosphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface. Within this layer, friction slows and turns the wind, creating shear and turbulence that are critical for surface operations.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 14:32 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.