Wind forecast Portavogie today

Wind in Portavogie right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Portavogie

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 23 km/h (5 to 14 mph), mostly from the SSW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Mon 12:00. 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 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 Portavogie

Portavogie, located in County Down, experiences wind patterns typical of a coastal settlement in Ulster. The prevailing wind direction across the county is from the southwest. Wind speeds at 10 metres above ground level along the coast in County Down generally range from approximately 5.5 to 7.5 metres per second. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed. Strongest winds often occur during winter, associated with southwesterly and north-westerly airflows from Atlantic depressions. The coastal location means that Portavogie is exposed to these weather systems directly from the Irish Sea and the North Channel.

Seasonal pattern

Across County Down, the strongest winds are typically observed during the winter months, driven by southwesterly and north-westerly weather systems. During these periods, coastal areas such as Portavogie can experience sustained higher wind speeds and more frequent strong gusts. In contrast, summer months generally bring lighter winds, though sea breezes may develop on warm, sunny afternoons. These local breezes are a result of differential heating between land and sea. Autumn and spring represent transitional periods, with variable wind conditions that can include strong winds associated with passing weather fronts, similar to winter, but generally less frequent.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal location, Portavogie is directly exposed to winds from the Irish Sea and the North Channel. The degree of exposure will depend on the specific direction of the wind and the immediate local topography. While coastal areas are generally windier than inland locations, local features can provide some shelter. Conversely, certain topographical features elsewhere in the county, such as parts of the Ards peninsula, can funnel winds, leading to localised increases in speed, particularly for easterlies and westerly gusts. The Wind Agent provides data at 10 metres, 80 metres, and 120 metres, which can illustrate how wind speed typically increases with height above the ground, especially in open, coastal environments.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is relevant for several activities in Portavogie. For the fishing sector, wind speed and direction are critical for planning operations, assessing sea conditions, and ensuring vessel stability. The agri-food sector, including farming, relies on wind data for tasks such as spraying and timing silage cuts, where wind conditions directly affect efficacy and drift. For those involved in sailing and marine leisure, understanding wind patterns is fundamental for navigation and activity planning. Building and roofing work also benefits from wind forecasts, particularly when working at height. The wind forecast is also useful for general outdoor activities such as walking, as wind chill can significantly affect perceived temperature.

Near Portavogie

Portavogie 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) (33 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (54 km) and Dublin Airport (126 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 107 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Portavogie

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