― WIND · CO. DOWN · NORTHERN IRELAND

Wind forecast Millisle today

Now 18 km/h SW, gusts 34 km/h (11 mph, gusts 21 mph) at Millisle, Co. Down. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:00 Irish time.

Wind in Millisle right now

WIND AT 10 M18 km/h11 mphfrom the SW (222°)
GUST AT 10 M34 km/h21 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M31 km/h19 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M32 km/h20 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY15:00: 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW, gusting 39 km/h (24 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONBelfast/Harbour Airport (EGAC, 22 km away): 26 km/h (16 mph) from the SW. Measured at 12:50, 22 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Millisle

Meteogram Millisle
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Millisle…

The next days at Millisle: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Millisle
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Millisle…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Millisle, from reanalysis.

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 22 km/h (3 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 13:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 13:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3119 mph
Sun 14:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2012 mph3924 mph3421 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Sun 17:00 SW1912 mph3723 mph3421 mph
Sun 18:00 SW1912 mph3824 mph3522 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW1811 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Sun 20:00 SSW1711 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Sun 21:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3019 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Mon 01:00 SW1711 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 02:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3421 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3421 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3421 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph3119 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph3119 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW2113 mph3924 mph3622 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2113 mph4025 mph3622 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2214 mph4226 mph3723 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2214 mph4327 mph3723 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2113 mph4025 mph3622 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1811 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW138 mph2415 mph2314 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 18:00 NW127 mph2214 mph2012 mph
Mon 19:00 NW85 mph1610 mph149 mph
Mon 20:00 NW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Mon 21:00 WNW64 mph127 mph138 mph
Mon 22:00 NW106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Mon 23:00 NW106 mph1912 mph2012 mph
Tue 00:00 W96 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Tue 01:00 WNW74 mph127 mph117 mph
Tue 02:00 W74 mph127 mph117 mph
Tue 03:00 WNW96 mph1711 mph159 mph
Tue 04:00 W74 mph138 mph127 mph
Tue 05:00 WNW106 mph1811 mph1711 mph
Tue 06:00 W53 mph106 mph106 mph
Tue 07:00 W53 mph106 mph117 mph
Tue 08:00 WSW53 mph85 mph106 mph
Tue 09:00 W74 mph149 mph138 mph
Tue 10:00 WNW106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Tue 11:00 NW127 mph2012 mph1912 mph
Tue 12:00 NW106 mph1711 mph2012 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 55 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 24 km/h (15 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/103924 mph2012 mph SSW
Mon 5/104327 mph2214 mph WSW
Tue 6/102415 mph1811 mph NW
Wed 7/104930 mph3824 mph WNW
Thu 8/105031 mph4025 mph W
Fri 9/105534 mph4327 mph WSW
Sat 10/105031 mph3924 mph W

What the wind does in Millisle

Millisle, located in County Down, experiences wind patterns typical of a coastal area in Ulster. The prevailing winds are generally from the south-west, a characteristic shared with the wider county. Coastal mean 10 m wind speeds in County Down are approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas seeing around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will consistently exceed these mean wind speeds, particularly during frontal systems. Winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies are often associated with the strongest winds. As a coastal location, Millisle is more directly exposed to these influences than many inland settlements. The proximity to the Irish Sea and North Channel means that approaching weather fronts can bring noticeable changes in wind conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Millisle generally follows that of the wider region. The strongest winds are typically observed during the winter months, driven by Atlantic depressions. South-westerly and north-westerly flows are most prominent during this period. As spring progresses into summer, wind speeds generally decrease. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can sometimes develop along the coast, leading to a localised increase in wind. Autumn sees a gradual return to stronger winds as the Atlantic storm season begins. The 48-hour and 7-day gust data provided on this page will illustrate these short-term variations, while the live data shows immediate conditions.

Exposure and shelter

Millisle is a coastal settlement, meaning its exposure to wind is significant, particularly from directions facing the Irish Sea and North Channel. While the county notes mention specific gust hotspots elsewhere in County Down, such as the Ards peninsula, Millisle's direct coastal location means it will be influenced by strong winds from the sea. Shelter from buildings and local topography will play a role in microclimates within the town itself. However, the general exposure is higher than inland locations. Coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching weather systems, often leading interior locations by several hours, which is relevant for Millisle.

Local uses of the wind forecast

The wind forecast in Millisle is valuable for several local activities. For the agri-food sector, wind strength and direction are important for tasks such as spraying and silage timing. The fishing and marine leisure industries, including sailing, rely on accurate wind data for operational planning and safety, particularly given the proximity of Bangor Marina. Building and roofing work in the town will consider wind conditions for safety and material handling. For individuals engaged in walking or other outdoor pursuits, understanding wind chill and gust potential is important. The forecast assists in planning activities and mitigating the effects of strong winds.

Near Millisle

Millisle 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) (45 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (115 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 95 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Millisle

When is Millisle typically windiest?

Millisle generally experiences its strongest winds during the winter months, driven by Atlantic depressions. South-westerly and north-westerly winds are most common during this period. Summer typically brings lighter winds, though sea breezes can occur.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Millisle?

Given Millisle's coastal location and the county's dominant wind patterns, strong gusts often accompany south-westerly and north-westerly winds, particularly during winter. Direct exposure to the Irish Sea and North Channel means easterly winds can also be significant.

Where can I get the nearest measured wind data for Millisle?

The nearest observing station providing METAR data is George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC, approximately 22 km from Millisle. This can offer an indication of regional wind conditions, though local variations will occur.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

Forecast: modelled wind from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0, underlying ICON, GFS and ECMWF model data), not a measurement at a site. Observation: airport METAR or buoy via aviationweather.gov and NDBC where one reports within 90 km. Heights are metres above ground. Missing values are UNKNOWN and never filled with zero. Last built 13:12 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.