Wind forecast Killyleagh today

Wind in Killyleagh right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Killyleagh

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 2 and 25 km/h (1 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 46 km/h (29 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 19 km/h (12 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Killyleagh

Killyleagh, or Cill Ó Laoch, is a coastal town in County Down, Ulster, with a population between 2,000 and 5,000. Located directly on the coast, its wind patterns are influenced by its proximity to the Irish Sea and the North Channel. County Down experiences a mean coastal wind speed of approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s at 10 m height, with inland areas seeing around 4-5.5 m/s. Wind speeds generally increase with height, so wind at 80 m or 120 m will be stronger than at 10 m. Gusts, which are sudden, brief increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The strongest winds in the county typically occur during winter, driven by southwesterly and north-westerly systems.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Killyleagh generally follows that of County Down. Winter months typically bring the strongest winds, predominantly from the southwest and northwest, associated with Atlantic depressions. These systems can lead to sustained strong winds and significant gusts. During summer, wind speeds are generally lower. On warm, sunny days, a sea breeze may develop in the afternoon, bringing cooler air from the sea onto the land. This local effect can temporarily alter the prevailing wind direction and speed near the coast. Spring and autumn are transitional periods, with variable wind conditions that can range from calm to strong, depending on the passage of weather fronts.

Exposure and shelter

Killyleagh's coastal location means it is exposed to winds from the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The degree of exposure can vary depending on the wind direction and local topography. While the town is coastal, the presence of Strangford Lough may offer some degree of shelter from certain directions, though this depends on the specific wind vector. Elsewhere in County Down, areas like the Ards peninsula and the Mournes are noted for strong funnelled easterly and westerly gusts. Buildings and terrain can create localised shelter or funnelling effects. Wind chill is a significant factor in colder, windier conditions, making the air feel considerably colder than the actual temperature.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Killyleagh. For the agri-food sector, farming operations such as spraying and silage timing are highly dependent on wind speed and direction. The fishing industry and those involved in sailing and marine leisure rely on wind forecasts for operational planning and safety. Building and roofing work requires knowledge of wind conditions for structural integrity and worker safety. For general outdoor activities like walking, understanding wind speed and direction helps in planning routes and preparing for wind chill. Coastal stations and offshore buoys in County Down can provide early warnings for approaching fronts, often leading interior locations by several hours.

Near Killyleagh

Killyleagh 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) (28 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (46 km) and Dublin Airport (115 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 100 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Killyleagh

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