Wind forecast Gilford today

Wind in Gilford right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Gilford

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 21 km/h (2 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Mon 12:00. 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 48 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 18 km/h (11 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Gilford

Gilford is situated inland in County Down, approximately 30 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are generally influenced by the broader weather patterns affecting Ulster, particularly the passage of Atlantic depressions. As an inland location, Gilford typically experiences lower average wind speeds compared to coastal areas of County Down. Strongest winds in the county generally occur during winter, predominantly from southwesterly and north-westerly directions. Gusts, which are sudden increases in wind speed, will frequently exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during unsettled weather. The nearest official meteorological observations are available from Belfast International Airport, approximately 33 km away.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Gilford generally follows that of County Down, with stronger winds typically observed during the winter months. This is due to the increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic depressions during this period. Southwesterly and north-westerly winds are often the strongest. During summer, wind speeds tend to be lower on average. On warm, sunny summer afternoons, a sea breeze may develop near the coast, but its influence is less pronounced inland at Gilford due to the distance from the sea. Wind chill can be a factor in colder, windier conditions, making the effective temperature feel lower than the measured air temperature.

Exposure and shelter

Gilford's inland location means it is more sheltered from direct coastal exposure than areas closer to the Irish Sea or North Channel. Local topography, such as buildings and any surrounding terrain features, can provide shelter or, conversely, create localised funnelling effects that increase wind speed in specific areas. While the county's coastal areas, such as the Ards Peninsula, can experience strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts, Gilford's specific exposure will be determined by its immediate surroundings. General principles of wind flow apply: wind speeds tend to be higher at greater heights, such as 10 metres, 80 metres, or 120 metres above ground level, compared to ground level.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are relevant for several activities in and around Gilford. In the agri-food sector, wind conditions are important for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where strong winds can affect application accuracy or drying times. For building and roofing work, wind speed and gusts are critical considerations for operational planning and worker comfort. Although Gilford is not coastal, the county's economy includes tourism and sailing, which are highly wind-dependent. For walking and outdoor activities, understanding wind strength and direction is important for comfort and planning. The nearest racecourse, Down Royal, also considers wind as a factor in race day conditions.

Near Gilford

Gilford is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (33 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (42 km) and Ballyhaise (71 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Bessy Bell Wind Farm, about 68 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Gilford

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