― WIND · CO. ANTRIM · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Dunloy today

Now 19 km/h SSW, gusts 35 km/h (12 mph, gusts 22 mph) at Dunloy, Co. Antrim. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:15 Irish time.

Wind in Dunloy right now

WIND AT 10 M19 km/h12 mphfrom the SSW (213°)
GUST AT 10 M35 km/h22 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M32 km/h20 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M33 km/h21 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY08:00: 24 km/h (15 mph) from the SSW, gusting 45 km/h (28 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONBelfast International (EGAA, 41 km away): 26 km/h (16 mph) from the SW. Measured at 12:50, 25 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Dunloy

Meteogram Dunloy
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Dunloy…

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

Wind rose Dunloy
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Dunloy…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 23 km/h (3 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Sun 18:00. 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 13:00 SSW1912 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Sun 14:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3321 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2314 mph4226 mph3824 mph
Sun 16:00 SSW2012 mph3723 mph3421 mph
Sun 17:00 SSW2113 mph3924 mph3824 mph
Sun 18:00 SSW2314 mph4327 mph4125 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW2214 mph4025 mph3924 mph
Sun 20:00 SSW1912 mph3622 mph3723 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW1912 mph3522 mph3522 mph
Sun 22:00 SSW1912 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Sun 23:00 SSW1912 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Mon 00:00 SSW2214 mph4125 mph4025 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW2113 mph3924 mph3924 mph
Mon 02:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3220 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 04:00 SW2012 mph3824 mph3622 mph
Mon 05:00 SW2214 mph4125 mph3824 mph
Mon 06:00 SW2012 mph3824 mph3622 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3421 mph
Mon 08:00 SSW138 mph2516 mph2616 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1610 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3119 mph
Mon 11:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3321 mph
Mon 12:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW149 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Mon 15:00 NW127 mph2314 mph1912 mph
Mon 16:00 WNW138 mph2415 mph2113 mph
Mon 17:00 WNW106 mph1811 mph1711 mph
Mon 18:00 W117 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Mon 19:00 WNW96 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 20:00 W85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Mon 21:00 W106 mph1811 mph2012 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW96 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW85 mph159 mph1610 mph
Tue 00:00 WSW74 mph138 mph149 mph
Tue 01:00 SW96 mph1610 mph1610 mph
Tue 02:00 SW96 mph1711 mph1711 mph
Tue 03:00 SW96 mph1811 mph1811 mph
Tue 04:00 SW96 mph1811 mph1811 mph
Tue 05:00 WSW96 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Tue 06:00 WSW85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 07:00 SW53 mph106 mph127 mph
Tue 08:00 WSW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Tue 09:00 WSW74 mph138 mph127 mph
Tue 10:00 WSW96 mph1610 mph127 mph
Tue 11:00 W96 mph1610 mph149 mph
Tue 12:00 WNW106 mph1912 mph1711 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 48 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 23 km/h (14 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 4/104528 mph2415 mph SSW
Mon 5/104125 mph2214 mph WSW
Tue 6/102314 mph138 mph W
Wed 7/104427 mph2516 mph WNW
Thu 8/104629 mph2717 mph WSW
Fri 9/104830 mph2817 mph WSW
Sat 10/104125 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Dunloy

Dunloy is an inland settlement in County Antrim, approximately 23 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are generally influenced by the prevailing southwesterly winds that affect much of Ireland, particularly during the winter months. While coastal areas of Antrim experience higher mean wind speeds, inland locations like Dunloy typically see lower averages, estimated to be around 4-5.5 m/s at 10 metres. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The Wind Agent provides live data for Dunloy, including current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts, offering a precise view of the wind's behaviour in this specific location.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Dunloy generally follows that of County Antrim, with stronger winds typically occurring in winter. Southwesterly and northwesterly winds are often associated with the strongest conditions across the county. During the summer months, lighter winds are more common, though sea breezes can develop on warm afternoons near the coast, potentially influencing inland areas to some extent. Atlantic depressions regularly bring periods of strong wind and gusts throughout the year, with coastal observation stations often providing an early indication of approaching fronts for inland areas like Dunloy.

Exposure and shelter

As an inland location, Dunloy benefits from some shelter compared to the exposed County Antrim coastline. The terrain around Dunloy may offer localised shelter or funnelling effects, influencing wind speeds and directions at different points. While the county notes mention exposure along the coast from Larne to Portrush and on the Antrim Plateau, Dunloy's position 23 km from the sea means it is less directly affected by direct coastal exposure. The built environment and local topography can create microclimates where wind speeds vary significantly over short distances, with shelter found on the lee side of buildings or elevated ground.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind information is valuable for several activities in and around Dunloy. For the agri-food sector and general farming, wind forecasts are crucial for planning activities such as spraying, silage timing, and managing livestock. The wind energy sector, which is present in County Antrim, relies on accurate wind data for operational efficiency and planning. For local residents engaged in walking or other outdoor pursuits, understanding wind conditions helps in planning. Building and roofing work also benefits from knowing wind speeds and gust potential. The Wind Agent's specific data for Dunloy helps these local users make informed decisions.

Near Dunloy

Dunloy is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (41 km), City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (48 km) and George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (56 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 32 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Dunloy

When is it typically windiest in Dunloy?

Dunloy, like much of Ireland, generally experiences its strongest winds during the winter months. Southwesterly and northwesterly winds are often associated with the most significant wind events across County Antrim during this period.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Dunloy?

The strongest gusts in Dunloy typically accompany the prevailing southwesterly and northwesterly winds, especially during winter. These directions are often associated with Atlantic weather systems that bring higher wind speeds across the region.

Where can I find the nearest measured wind data to Dunloy?

The nearest observing stations providing measured wind data are Belfast International Airport (EGAA) at approximately 41 km, City of Derry Airport (EGAE) at 48 km, and George Best Belfast City Airport (EGAC) at 56 km. These METAR stations offer official observations.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Dunloy, 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 13:15 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.