Wind forecast Newtownards today

Wind in Newtownards right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Newtownards

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 21 km/h (4 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 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 49 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 25 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 Newtownards

Newtownards, or Baile Nua na hArda, is located in County Down, a coastal county in Ulster. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the westerly quarter. As a coastal town, Newtownards may experience higher mean wind speeds than inland areas. County Down generally experiences coastal mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas seeing around 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during strong weather systems. Winter southwesterlies and north-westerlies are often associated with the strongest wind events across the county. Coastal stations and offshore buoys, such as those near Bangor Marina, can provide early indications of approaching fronts.

Seasonal pattern

The wind in Newtownards, consistent with the broader Irish climate, exhibits a seasonal pattern. The strongest winds are generally observed during the winter months, from October to March, when Atlantic depressions are more frequent and intense. During this period, southwesterly and north-westerly winds are often dominant and can bring significant gusts. Summer months, typically from June to August, tend to have lighter average wind speeds. However, local sea breezes can develop on warm, sunny afternoons, bringing a temporary increase in wind speed near the coast. These sea breezes are generally less strong than winter frontal winds.

Exposure and shelter

Newtownards is situated approximately 2 km from the coast, meaning its exposure to wind is influenced by its proximity to the Irish Sea and the North Channel. While coastal locations generally experience higher wind speeds, local topography can create areas of shelter or funnelling. The county's dominant wind direction is SW. Elsewhere in County Down, the Ards peninsula can experience strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts. Buildings and other structures within Newtownards can provide localised shelter, reducing wind speeds at ground level, particularly in their lee. Conversely, open areas may be more exposed to the full force of the wind.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in Newtownards. For the agri-food sector, farming operations such as spraying and silage timing are highly dependent on suitable wind conditions. The tourism sector, including sailing and marine leisure, relies on wind data for planning activities on Strangford Lough and the surrounding waters. Fishing operations also require awareness of wind and sea state. For general outdoor activities like walking, understanding wind speed and direction, particularly gust potential and wind chill, is important. Building and roofing work also needs careful consideration of wind conditions for safety and material handling.

Near Newtownards

Newtownards 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) (12 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (35 km) and City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (107 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 86 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Newtownards

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