Wind forecast Larne today

Wind in Larne right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Larne

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 25 km/h (2 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 49 km/h (30 mph) at Sun 18:00. 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 52 km/h (32 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 26 km/h (16 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Larne

Larne, or Latharna, is a coastal town in County Antrim. Wind conditions here are influenced by its proximity to the sea. As with much of Ireland, the strongest winds typically occur during the passage of Atlantic depressions, particularly in winter. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the average wind speed. Coastal areas, such as Larne, generally experience higher mean wind speeds than inland locations. County Antrim, where Larne is situated, has a dominant wind direction from the south-west. Approximate coastal mean 10 m wind speeds in the county range from 5.5 to 7.5 m/s, while inland areas typically see 4 to 5.5 m/s.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Larne generally follows the broader trend for Northern Ireland, with stronger and more frequent winds during the winter months. Winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are noted to bring the strongest wind conditions to County Antrim. During the summer, while strong winds are less common, a sea breeze can develop on warmer afternoons, providing local increases in wind speed near the coast. This effect is a common meteorological phenomenon in coastal regions. Spring and autumn can present variable conditions, with periods of strong wind interspersed with calmer weather, reflecting the transitional nature of these seasons.

Exposure and shelter

Larne's coastal location means it is directly exposed to winds from the sea. The exposure of coastal areas can vary depending on the orientation of the coastline. While Larne is coastal, other areas in County Antrim, such as Belfast Lough and Strangford, are noted as being partly sheltered. Wind speeds can be higher at 10 m, 80 m, and 120 m above ground level, with less friction from the terrain. Local terrain features, including buildings, can provide shelter in their lee, reducing wind speeds at ground level. Conversely, funnelling effects can occur in certain topographical features, potentially increasing wind speeds locally.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Larne. For the ports & shipping industry, including Larne Harbour, Carrickfergus Marina, and Bangor Marina, wind forecasts are critical for navigation, berthing, and cargo operations. The aerospace & engineering sector may use wind data for design and operational planning. In agriculture, including the agri-food sector, wind speed and direction are important for activities such as spraying and timing silage cuts. Wind energy projects, such as the Altahullion Wind Farm elsewhere in the county, rely on precise wind data. Additionally, wind forecasts are relevant for general outdoor activities like walking, and for building and roofing work.

Near Larne

Larne is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (26 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (33 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (88 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 70 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Larne

Go deeper

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