Wind forecast Portaferry today

Wind in Portaferry right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Portaferry

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 24 km/h (5 to 15 mph), mostly from the SSW. The strongest gust is 42 km/h (26 mph) at Mon 13:00. 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 22 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 Portaferry

Portaferry, or Port an Pheire, is situated on the coast in County Down. Wind patterns here are influenced by its coastal location and proximity to Strangford Lough. The county experiences a mean 10 m wind speed of approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s along the coast, with inland areas typically seeing 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts are a notable feature, often exceeding the mean wind speed significantly. The strongest winds generally occur during winter, predominantly from southwesterly and north-westerly directions. Coastal areas like Portaferry can experience these strong winds directly, and the town's position means it is exposed to the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The Wind Agent provides precise, localised wind data for Portaferry, detailing current conditions, a 48-hour outlook, and 7-day gust trends.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Portaferry follows the general trend across Ireland, with Atlantic depressions bringing the strongest winds during the autumn and winter months. Southwesterly and north-westerly winds are most prevalent and strongest during this period. Spring and summer typically see lighter winds. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop on coastal areas, providing a localised increase in wind speed. This effect is more noticeable on warm, calm days. While the county's coastal areas can be early indicators of approaching weather fronts, Portaferry's specific exposure within Strangford Lough may offer some localised variations compared to more open coastal stretches elsewhere in the county.

Exposure and shelter

Portaferry's coastal location means it is generally more exposed to wind than inland areas. Its position on Strangford Lough, facing the Irish Sea and the North Channel, dictates its direct exposure to prevailing winds. While the lough itself may offer some degree of shelter depending on wind direction, the town can experience strong winds, particularly from the south-west and north-west. Buildings and local topography can create localised areas of shelter or funnelling effects, where wind speeds may differ from the broader open areas. The nearby Portaferry Harbour is directly affected by these conditions. Understanding these local variations is key to interpreting wind data for specific activities.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind information is valuable for several activities in Portaferry. For the fishing and sailing & marine leisure sectors, knowing current and forecast wind speeds and directions is critical for planning voyages, ensuring vessel handling, and for the operation of Portaferry Harbour and Strangford Harbour. In agriculture, particularly the agri-food sector, wind data is important for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where wind conditions can affect efficacy and drift. For building and roofing, wind speeds are a factor in planning work and ensuring materials are secured. General outdoor activities like walking are also influenced by wind, as higher wind speeds can lead to wind chill.

Near Portaferry

Portaferry 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) (34 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (53 km) and Dublin Airport (115 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 106 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Portaferry

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