― WIND · CO. DONEGAL

Wind forecast Ramelton today

Now 16 km/h SW, gusts 30 km/h (10 mph, gusts 19 mph) at Ramelton (Ráth Mealtain), Co. Donegal. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.

Wind in Ramelton right now

WIND AT 10 M16 km/h10 mphfrom the SW (215°)
GUST AT 10 M30 km/h19 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M29 km/h18 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M32 km/h20 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY18:00: 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW, gusting 37 km/h (23 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONDerry/City Airport (EGAE, 31 km away): 28 km/h (17 mph) from the SW. Measured at 14:20, 14 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Ramelton

Meteogram Ramelton
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Ramelton…

The next days at Ramelton: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Ramelton
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Ramelton…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Ramelton, from reanalysis.

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 21 km/h (3 to 13 mph), mostly from the WSW. The strongest gust is 39 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 01:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 14:00 SSW1711 mph3119 mph2918 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Sun 17:00 SW1811 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Sun 18:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Sun 19:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Sun 20:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Sun 21:00 WSW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Mon 01:00 SW2113 mph3924 mph3723 mph
Mon 02:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1912 mph3622 mph3421 mph
Mon 05:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph3321 mph
Mon 06:00 WSW1811 mph3421 mph3421 mph
Mon 07:00 WSW1912 mph3622 mph3522 mph
Mon 08:00 WSW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW2012 mph3723 mph3522 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW2012 mph3723 mph3421 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW1711 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW159 mph2717 mph2717 mph
Mon 13:00 SW127 mph2113 mph2214 mph
Mon 14:00 WNW96 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Mon 15:00 W96 mph1711 mph1610 mph
Mon 16:00 W106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Mon 17:00 W85 mph149 mph159 mph
Mon 18:00 WNW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Mon 19:00 W85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Mon 20:00 SW53 mph96 mph117 mph
Mon 21:00 WSW64 mph106 mph138 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW64 mph106 mph159 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Tue 00:00 WSW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Tue 01:00 SW85 mph149 mph149 mph
Tue 02:00 WSW74 mph138 mph1610 mph
Tue 03:00 WSW74 mph127 mph1711 mph
Tue 04:00 WSW85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 05:00 WSW64 mph96 mph127 mph
Tue 06:00 WSW74 mph127 mph159 mph
Tue 07:00 WSW74 mph106 mph149 mph
Tue 08:00 W85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 09:00 W85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Tue 10:00 WSW74 mph127 mph96 mph
Tue 11:00 WNW106 mph2012 mph1711 mph
Tue 12:00 WNW117 mph2214 mph1811 mph
Tue 13:00 WNW117 mph2314 mph1711 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Sat 10/10 with gusts to 48 km/h (30 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.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/103723 mph2012 mph SW
Mon 5/103924 mph2113 mph WSW
Tue 6/102817 mph159 mph W
Wed 7/104327 mph2314 mph WNW
Thu 8/104125 mph2314 mph SSW
Fri 9/104629 mph2516 mph W
Sat 10/104830 mph2717 mph W

What the wind does in Ramelton

Ramelton, or Ráth Mealtain, is a coastal town in County Donegal. Wind conditions here are influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic and the general weather patterns affecting the north-west of Ireland. As with most locations in Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the westerly quarter, bringing moist air and often strong winds from the Atlantic. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of unsettled weather. County Donegal experiences coastal mean 10 m wind speeds roughly between 6.5-8.5 m/s, with speeds falling a few kilometres inland. The wind here will often be a factor in outdoor activities, and its characteristics can vary significantly with changes in weather fronts.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ramelton generally follows the broader trends observed across County Donegal. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically experienced from November to February, coinciding with the passage of Atlantic depressions. Conversely, the lightest winds usually occur from June to August. During these summer months, sea breezes can develop on the coast in the afternoons, providing a localised increase in wind speed. This can be a noticeable feature for those near the water. The county's northerly position and deeply indented Atlantic coastline mean high exposure to weather systems throughout the year.

Exposure and shelter

Situated approximately 1 km from the coast, Ramelton's wind exposure will be significant, though specific local topography can create variations. Coastal areas generally experience higher wind speeds than inland locations. While the town itself is coastal, the immediate shelter provided by buildings and local terrain will influence conditions at ground level. Wind speeds at 10 metres will be higher than at ground level, and wind speeds at 80 metres or 120 metres (relevant for wind energy assessments) will be higher still. Elsewhere in the county, locations like Malin Head and Fanad are known for being particularly gusty, indicating the high exposure of the Donegal coastline.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For Ramelton, the wind forecast is valuable for various local activities and sectors. Given Donegal's significant fishing industry, particularly in places like Killybegs, and the presence of Rathmullan Harbour nearby, marine users rely on accurate wind information for planning voyages and ensuring operational safety. The tourism sector, including surf and golf tourism, also benefits from wind awareness, as conditions directly impact visitor experiences. Farmers in the area use wind forecasts for activities such as spraying and silage timing. For general outdoor pursuits like walking, or for community activities on GAA pitches, understanding wind conditions is important for comfort and planning.

Near Ramelton

Ramelton is in Co. Donegal, one of 19 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are City of Derry Airport EGAE (METAR) (31 km), Malin Head (42 km) and Donegal Airport EIDL (METAR) (44 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Meentycat Wind Farm, about 19 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ramelton

When is Ramelton typically windiest?

Ramelton, like much of County Donegal, generally experiences its strongest and gustiest winds from November to February, due to the prevalence of Atlantic depressions during these months. The lightest winds are typically observed from June to August.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Ramelton?

The strongest and gustiest conditions in Ramelton are most frequently associated with winds from the westerly quarter, as these are the prevailing winds across Ireland and bring the full force of Atlantic weather systems to the Donegal coast.

Where can I find the nearest measured wind data for Ramelton?

The nearest observing stations providing measured wind data are City of Derry Airport (EGAE) approximately 31 km away, Malin Head about 42 km away, and Donegal Airport (EIDL) around 44 km distant. These can provide an indication of regional conditions.

Go deeper

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

Coast, sea & terrain · a local phenomenonSea breeze: the coastal wind that appears from nowhereThe sea breeze is a local wind system driven by differential heating between land and sea. It can significantly alter the local wind field, often appearing as a fresh, cool wind on otherwise calm, sunny days.Read Coast, sea & terrain · how topography shapes windHeadlands and funnelling: local wind effects near complex terrainWind flow around coastal headlands and through narrow channels can accelerate significantly, often exceeding speeds forecast for open water. This article explains the physical mechanisms and practical implications of these localised effects, which are frequently missed by numerical weather models.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

Forecast: modelled wind from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0, underlying ICON, GFS and ECMWF model data), not a measurement at a site. Observation: airport METAR or buoy via aviationweather.gov and NDBC where one reports within 90 km. Heights are metres above ground. Missing values are UNKNOWN and never filled with zero. Last built 14:33 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.