Wind forecast Moira today

Wind in Moira right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Moira

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 24 km/h (2 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 Fri 9/10 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 Moira

Moira, or Maigh Rath, is situated in County Down, Ulster. As an inland location, approximately 25 km from the coast, wind conditions here generally differ from those experienced directly on the coastline. The county's dominant wind direction is southwesterly. Inland areas in County Down typically experience mean 10 m wind speeds of around 4-5.5 m/s, which is lower than coastal averages. However, gusts will always exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of strong synoptic wind. The strongest winds in the region are typically associated with winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies, which are part of the broader Atlantic weather patterns affecting Ireland.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Moira follows the general Irish trend, with stronger winds more prevalent during the autumn and winter months. During these seasons, the passage of Atlantic depressions brings more frequent and intense wind events. Spring and summer tend to be calmer, although convective activity can lead to localised strong gusts. While a sea breeze effect can be observed in coastal areas of County Down during summer afternoons, its influence is significantly diminished at Moira's inland location. The overall wind climate is shaped by Ireland's position in the mid-latitudes, with a high frequency of westerly and southwesterly winds throughout the year.

Exposure and shelter

Moira's inland position means it benefits from some shelter compared to exposed coastal areas of County Down. While the county's coastline faces the Irish Sea and the North Channel, Moira is situated far enough inland to be less directly impacted by coastal exposure. Local topography, even subtle variations, can influence wind flow, creating areas of both increased exposure and shelter. Buildings and other structures within the town will also provide localised shelter, particularly for ground-level wind. Conversely, open fields or elevated ground within the vicinity could experience more direct wind flow. Funnelling effects, common in valleys or between structures, can also locally increase wind speeds.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are valuable for several sectors in and around Moira. For the agri-food sector, understanding wind speed and direction is crucial for tasks like crop spraying, silage timing, and managing livestock. Building and roofing work also depends on wind conditions for safety and efficiency. For those involved in farming, wind can impact soil erosion and the effectiveness of certain agricultural operations. Although Moira is inland, the nearby Down Royal Racecourse (approximately 10 km away) and Lough Neagh (approximately 17 km away) may have activities sensitive to wind, such as equestrian events or watersports like kitesurfing on the Lough Neagh Antrim Shore.

Near Moira

Moira is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (20 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (28 km) and Ballyhaise (85 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 66 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Moira

Go deeper

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