― WIND · CO. DOWN · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Greyabbey today

Now 21 km/h SW, gusts 37 km/h (13 mph, gusts 23 mph) at Greyabbey, Co. Down. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:15 Irish time.

Wind in Greyabbey right now

WIND AT 10 M21 km/h13 mphfrom the SW (220°)
GUST AT 10 M37 km/h23 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M33 km/h21 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M35 km/h22 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY14:00: 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW, gusting 37 km/h (23 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONBelfast/Harbour Airport (EGAC, 22 km away): 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW. Measured at 14:20, 8 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Greyabbey

Meteogram Greyabbey
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Greyabbey…

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

Wind rose Greyabbey
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Greyabbey…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 25 km/h (3 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 SW2012 mph3723 mph3321 mph
Sun 15:00 SSW2012 mph3723 mph3220 mph
Sun 16:00 SSW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Sun 17:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Sun 18:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Sun 19:00 SW159 mph2717 mph2817 mph
Sun 20:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW1811 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 01:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3421 mph
Mon 02:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3522 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 06:00 SSW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3421 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3119 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2516 mph4528 mph4025 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2415 mph4427 mph3824 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2314 mph4327 mph3622 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2314 mph4125 mph3622 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1912 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW1610 mph2918 mph2817 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 19:00 WNW117 mph2113 mph1912 mph
Mon 20:00 NE53 mph106 mph96 mph
Mon 21:00 N85 mph149 mph138 mph
Mon 22:00 NW106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Mon 23:00 NW96 mph1811 mph1811 mph
Tue 00:00 WNW85 mph149 mph159 mph
Tue 01:00 NW64 mph106 mph127 mph
Tue 02:00 NW85 mph149 mph149 mph
Tue 03:00 NW85 mph149 mph127 mph
Tue 04:00 WNW53 mph96 mph85 mph
Tue 05:00 NW74 mph149 mph127 mph
Tue 06:00 NW74 mph127 mph127 mph
Tue 07:00 NW85 mph149 mph159 mph
Tue 08:00 WNW74 mph138 mph138 mph
Tue 09:00 NW85 mph1610 mph1610 mph
Tue 10:00 NW85 mph1610 mph159 mph
Tue 11:00 NW96 mph1610 mph138 mph
Tue 12:00 NNW85 mph149 mph117 mph
Tue 13:00 NNW74 mph149 mph106 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 49 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 25 km/h (16 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 4/103723 mph2012 mph SSW
Mon 5/104528 mph2516 mph WSW
Tue 6/102516 mph2012 mph NNW
Wed 7/104528 mph3522 mph WNW
Thu 8/104729 mph3723 mph W
Fri 9/104930 mph3824 mph WSW
Sat 10/104830 mph3723 mph W

What the wind does in Greyabbey

Greyabbey, located in County Down, experiences wind patterns influenced by its coastal position near Strangford Lough. As with much of Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, bringing air from the Atlantic. These winds are often strongest during the winter months. While the live data provides current and recent wind conditions, understanding the general patterns helps interpret these numbers. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed at any given time. The coastal mean 10 m wind speed in County Down is approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas seeing around 4-5.5 m/s, although these are county-level approximations and local conditions in Greyabbey will vary.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Greyabbey generally follows that of County Down and Ireland as a whole. Winter typically brings the strongest winds, often associated with Atlantic depressions tracking across the country. Southwesterly and north-westerly winds are particularly strong during this period. Conversely, summer months tend to have lighter winds on average. During warm, sunny summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop. This occurs when the land heats up faster than the sea, creating a localised wind that blows from the cooler sea towards the warmer land. This effect can moderate temperatures and influence local wind conditions near the coast.

Exposure and shelter

Greyabbey's coastal location means it is generally more exposed to wind than many inland areas. However, its position on the eastern shore of Strangford Lough provides some degree of shelter from direct exposure to the open Irish Sea and North Channel, depending on wind direction. The exposure of the County Down coastline varies, with the Ards peninsula and the Mournes experiencing specific funnelled winds. Buildings and local topography within Greyabbey itself will create areas of both shelter and localised acceleration of wind. For instance, wind can be channelled between structures or over obstacles, leading to stronger gusts in certain spots.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in Greyabbey. For the agri-food sector and farming, wind forecasts are crucial for planning activities such as spraying, silage timing, and managing livestock, as strong winds can affect these operations. Given the presence of sailing and marine leisure in County Down, particularly at nearby Bangor Marina and Portaferry Harbour, wind data is essential for planning voyages and ensuring vessel operations. For those involved in fishing, understanding wind and sea conditions is vital for planning trips and for operational safety. Building and roofing work also depends on wind forecasts, as high winds can pose challenges for working at height and securing materials. For walking and other outdoor activities, wind chill is a factor to consider, especially in colder, windier conditions.

Near Greyabbey

Greyabbey 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) (22 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (44 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (117 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 97 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Greyabbey

When is Greyabbey typically windiest?

Greyabbey generally experiences its strongest winds during the winter months. This is consistent with the broader pattern across Ireland, where Atlantic depressions bring more frequent and intense winds, particularly from the southwest and northwest, during this season.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Greyabbey?

While specific local conditions vary, southwesterly and north-westerly winds are typically associated with the strongest gusts across County Down, especially during winter. Coastal areas, including Greyabbey, are generally more exposed to these prevailing directions.

How do I interpret the difference between gust and mean wind speed in Greyabbey?

The mean wind speed represents the average wind speed over a period, while gusts are short, sudden increases above this average. Gusts will always be higher than the mean. For activities sensitive to sudden wind changes, such as sailing or working at height, the gust speed is a critical figure to consider.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.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 14:27 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.