Wind forecast Portrush today

Wind in Portrush right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Portrush

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 23 km/h (4 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 44 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 09:00. 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 57 km/h (35 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 28 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Portrush

Portrush, or Port Rois, is a coastal town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. As a coastal location, it experiences generally higher average wind speeds compared to inland areas. The county's dominant wind direction is from the south-west. Wind observations at 10 metres show coastal mean speeds in County Antrim are roughly 5.5-7.5 metres per second, while inland areas typically experience 4-5.5 metres per second. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. Winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies are noted as bringing the strongest winds to County Antrim. The town's proximity to the coast means it is directly exposed to these prevailing winds, influencing local conditions significantly.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Portrush generally follows the broader Irish climate, with stronger winds more prevalent during the cooler months. Atlantic depressions frequently track across or near Ireland, bringing increased wind activity, particularly from autumn through to spring. During these periods, south-westerly and north-westerly winds are typically the strongest. In contrast, summer months often see lighter winds on average. Localised effects such as sea breezes can develop on warm, sunny summer afternoons. These breezes occur when the land heats up faster than the sea, drawing cooler air inland from the coast. The strength and direction of these sea breezes are influenced by the regional synoptic wind patterns.

Exposure and shelter

Portrush is a coastal town, approximately 1 km from the coast, placing it in an exposed position, particularly to winds arriving directly from the sea. The north coast of County Antrim is noted for its exposure. While the general county dominant wind is south-westerly, the specific exposure in Portrush will depend on the local coastline orientation relative to the wind direction. Buildings and local topography can provide some shelter from the wind in their lee, creating areas with reduced wind speeds. However, the open coastal environment means that overall, Portrush experiences significant wind exposure. Wind chill can be a factor, especially in stronger winds during colder periods, making the perceived temperature feel lower than the actual air temperature.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for various activities in Portrush. For the tourism sector, understanding wind conditions is important for planning outdoor activities, particularly those along the coast or at nearby golf courses like Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club. Sea users, including those involved in surfing at Portrush East Strand, rely on wind data for assessing wave conditions and operational planning. Farmers in the agri-food sector use wind forecasts for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where wind speed and direction can affect efficacy and drift. The aerospace & engineering and ports & shipping sectors, which are present in the county, also depend on precise wind data for operational safety and efficiency.

Near Portrush

Portrush is in Co. Antrim, one of 26 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (37 km), Malin Head (48 km) and Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (66 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Altahullion Wind Farm, about 34 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Portrush

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