Wind forecast Hillsborough today

Wind in Hillsborough right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Hillsborough

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 23 km/h (2 to 14 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 44 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 52 km/h (32 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 Hillsborough

Hillsborough, or Cromghlinn, is situated in County Down, an inland location approximately 19 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are generally less pronounced than directly on the coastline, where mean 10 m wind speeds are estimated to be around 5.5-7.5 m/s. Inland areas like Hillsborough typically experience lower average wind speeds, closer to 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts, however, are a common feature of wind in Ireland and will frequently exceed the mean wind speed. The prevailing wind direction in County Down is from the south-west. Stronger winds are typically associated with winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies, which are part of the broader Atlantic weather patterns affecting Ireland.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Hillsborough follows the general Irish climate, with stronger winds more prevalent during the winter months. This is due to the increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic depressions tracking across or near the island. Summer months generally bring lighter winds, though local thermal effects can sometimes generate a sea breeze on coastal areas elsewhere in County Down, which may then propagate inland to a lesser extent. While the county experiences varied exposure from Strangford Lough to the Irish Sea, Hillsborough's inland position means it is somewhat buffered from the most direct coastal effects throughout the year.

Exposure and shelter

As an inland town, Hillsborough benefits from some shelter compared to exposed coastal locations in County Down. The county's coastline faces the Irish Sea and the North Channel, and coastal stations often provide an early indication of approaching fronts. Hillsborough is approximately 19 km from the coast, meaning the immediate impact of sea-level winds is reduced. However, local topography, including buildings and minor terrain features, can create localised funnelling or shelter effects. While the county notes strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts in specific areas like the Mourne passes and the Ards peninsula, these are county-level observations and do not directly describe Hillsborough's immediate environment.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For Hillsborough's agricultural sector, including agri-food, accurate wind forecasts are important for planning activities such as spraying and silage timing, where wind conditions can affect efficacy and drift. For general farming operations, understanding wind direction and strength assists in managing livestock and property. In building and roofing, wind information is crucial for planning work at height and securing materials. For those involved in outdoor activities like walking, understanding wind strength and direction helps in planning routes and assessing comfort levels, particularly as wind chill can make cooler temperatures feel colder. The nearby Down Royal Racecourse may also consider wind conditions for events.

Near Hillsborough

Hillsborough 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) (23 km) and Ballyhaise (92 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 74 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Hillsborough

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