Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Why has it been so windy recently?

16:00
20 February 2022

Weather explained
Why has it been so windy recently?

With so much talk of wind recently, you may be left wondering exactly where it is all coming from.

All wind is the result of air moving. As the sun heats the planet, warmer air rises leaving an area of low pressure behind. Colder air is pulled into this area creating wind.

That is the simple explanation. This week, strong winds arrived due to a classic weather pattern sometimes referred to as the Atlantic Highway.

Atlantic Highway

A low pressure over Iceland and a high pressure over the Azores are throwing icy polar air and warm tropical air at each other.

The dramatic temperature differences create a veritable Atlantic wind highway, running from far out in the Atlantic and into Europe, over the UK and Ireland.

This, in conjunction with an active jet stream, combined to deliver gale force winds for much of our two countries.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Lightning strikes in dry conditions. Positive earth flashes. . . Monday 17 August 2026
On the left, massive thunderclouds are gathering at night, with several flashes of lightning streaking from them. On the right, a map shows the Ligurian coast near Genoa and Savona. Numerous coloured dots over the Ligurian Sea and along the coast indicate lightning activity.
Monday 17 August 2026

Positive earth flashes

Lightning strikes in dry conditions
Drought brings flash flood risks. As rain returns. . . Wednesday 19 August 2026
Weather radar map of the UK and Ireland showing widespread showers, with a rain icon and flood warning symbol highlighting the risk from rainfall.
Wednesday 19 August 2026

As rain returns

Drought brings flash flood risks
Damage in Germany after severe weather. Several tornadoes formed. . Weather Videos. Thursday 20 August 2026
Split image: Weather map showing thunderstorms and a tornado symbol over western Germany. On the right, severe damage to buildings and rubble on a road can be seen.
Weather VideosThursday 20 August 2026

Several tornadoes formed

Damage in Germany after severe weather
All weather news
This might also interest you
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList