Wind forecast Holywood today

Wind in Holywood right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Holywood

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 1 and 24 km/h (1 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 44 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 02:00. 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 21 km/h (13 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Holywood

Holywood, or Ard Mhic Nasca, is located in County Down, Ulster, with a population band of 10,000-20,000. As a coastal location, approximately 2 km from the coast, it experiences wind patterns influenced by its proximity to the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The county-level dominant wind direction is from the southwest. Generally, coastal areas in County Down experience mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, while inland areas see around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will typically exceed these mean wind speeds. Strongest winds in the county are associated with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies. Coastal stations and offshore buoys, such as those near Holywood, often register changes in wind conditions several hours before inland locations, providing an early indication of approaching weather fronts.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Holywood generally follows the broader trend for County Down and Northern Ireland. Winter months typically bring the strongest winds, predominantly from the southwest and north-west, driven by Atlantic depressions. These systems can lead to periods of sustained strong winds and higher gusts. During summer, wind speeds are generally lower, and the influence of local thermal effects, such as sea breezes, can become more noticeable on clear, warm afternoons. These sea breezes typically develop in the afternoon and can provide a localised increase in wind speed near the coast. Spring and autumn represent transitional periods, with variable wind conditions that can range from calm to strong, depending on the passage of weather systems.

Exposure and shelter

Holywood's coastal location means it is generally more exposed to wind than inland areas. However, the specific exposure depends on the wind direction and local topography. While Belfast Lough provides some partial shelter, the town's proximity to the coast means it is open to winds from the Irish Sea and the North Channel. Winds from the dominant county-level southwesterly direction would typically be felt across the area. Conversely, features such as buildings and local terrain can provide localised shelter, creating areas where wind speeds are reduced. The general principle is that wind speeds are higher at greater heights, such as 80 m or 120 m, compared to surface level (10 m).

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several activities in Holywood and the surrounding County Down area. For the agri-food sector, wind data is crucial for planning activities such as crop spraying and silage timing, ensuring optimal conditions for application and harvesting. Tourism, particularly for outdoor activities, benefits from wind information for planning walks or coastal excursions, considering potential wind chill. The fishing and sailing & marine leisure sectors rely heavily on wind forecasts for operational planning, navigation, and assessing sea conditions. Building and roofing work also requires wind data to ensure the stability of structures and the safety of workers at height. For general outdoor activities, understanding wind strength and direction aids in planning.

Near Holywood

Holywood 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) (4 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (25 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (97 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 76 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Holywood

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