Wind forecast Magherafelt today

Wind in Magherafelt right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Magherafelt

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 18 km/h (3 to 11 mph), mostly from the SSW. The strongest gust is 35 km/h (22 mph) at Sun 16:00. 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 47 km/h (29 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 23 km/h (14 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Magherafelt

Magherafelt, known in Irish as Machaire Fíolta, is located in County Londonderry, Ulster. As an inland town, approximately 44 km from the coast, it experiences wind patterns that differ from coastal areas. While the county's coastal regions may see mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas like Magherafelt typically experience lower speeds, around 4-5.5 m/s, based on approximate ERA5-like data for the county. Gusts will generally exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of strong synoptic flow. The strongest winds in the county typically occur with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies, influencing Magherafelt accordingly.

Seasonal pattern

Across Ireland, the wind generally follows a seasonal pattern, with stronger and more frequent winds during the autumn and winter months, and lighter winds in spring and summer. Magherafelt, situated inland, will largely conform to this pattern. Atlantic depressions frequently bring strong winds and precipitation from the west and southwest, particularly from October to March. During summer, periods of lighter winds are more common, though sea breezes can develop on sunny afternoons along the coast elsewhere in the county. These coastal effects are less pronounced in Magherafelt due to its inland location. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest.

Exposure and shelter

Magherafelt's inland position means it benefits from some shelter compared to the more exposed coastal areas of County Londonderry. While the county's north-facing coast from Magilligan to Portstewart, backed by the Sperrin uplands, is very exposed to northwest wind, Magherafelt is not directly subject to this coastal exposure. Local topography, including buildings and minor terrain features, will influence wind patterns at a very local level, creating areas of shelter or funnelling effects. Wind speeds are generally lower at ground level and increase with height, so wind at 10 m will be stronger than at 2 m, and stronger still at 80 m or 120 m.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in and around Magherafelt. For the agri-food sector, prevalent in County Londonderry, wind speed and direction are critical for timing spraying operations, managing livestock, and planning silage cuts. Farmers need to avoid spraying in high winds to ensure efficacy and prevent drift. Building and roofing work also depends on wind conditions, with strong gusts posing risks. For individuals engaging in outdoor activities such as walking, understanding wind chill is important. While Magherafelt is inland, the nearby Lough Neagh is used for activities like kitesurfing, where precise wind data is essential for safety and planning. The wind forecast also informs operations at nearby airports like Belfast International.

Near Magherafelt

Magherafelt is in Co. Derry / Londonderry, one of 18 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (27 km), City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (48 km) and George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (50 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 27 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Magherafelt

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