― WIND · CO. LAOIS

Wind forecast Abbeyleix today

Now 17 km/h SW, gusts 31 km/h (11 mph, gusts 19 mph) at Abbeyleix (Mainistir Laoise), Co. Laois. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:45 Irish time.

Wind in Abbeyleix right now

WIND AT 10 M17 km/h11 mphfrom the SW (221°)
GUST AT 10 M31 km/h19 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M27 km/h17 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M29 km/h18 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY15:00: 18 km/h (11 mph) from the SW, gusting 34 km/h (21 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 74 km away): 22 km/h (14 mph) from the SW. Measured at 13:00, 55 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Abbeyleix

Meteogram Abbeyleix
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Abbeyleix…

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

Wind rose Abbeyleix
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Abbeyleix…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 19 km/h (4 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 36 km/h (22 mph) at Mon 13:00. 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 13:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Sun 14:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph2918 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1711 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Sun 17:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Sun 18:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW1711 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Sun 20:00 SW1610 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Sun 21:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3220 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3321 mph3220 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph3119 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1811 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW1811 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Mon 02:00 SSW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3019 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1711 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3119 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3019 mph
Mon 11:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 13:00 W1912 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Mon 16:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2516 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW138 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW106 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Mon 20:00 SW74 mph138 mph1610 mph
Mon 21:00 SW74 mph138 mph1610 mph
Mon 22:00 SSW74 mph127 mph149 mph
Mon 23:00 SSW85 mph159 mph1912 mph
Tue 00:00 SW74 mph138 mph1610 mph
Tue 01:00 SSW96 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 02:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 03:00 SW96 mph1610 mph1912 mph
Tue 04:00 SSW85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 05:00 S74 mph127 mph159 mph
Tue 06:00 SW85 mph159 mph1610 mph
Tue 07:00 NNE1610 mph3019 mph2516 mph
Tue 08:00 NNE159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Tue 09:00 NNE159 mph2817 mph2415 mph
Tue 10:00 NNE149 mph2616 mph2314 mph
Tue 11:00 N1610 mph2918 mph2314 mph
Tue 12:00 N1610 mph2918 mph2214 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 31 km/h (19 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 4/103421 mph1811 mph SSW
Mon 5/103622 mph1912 mph SW
Tue 6/103119 mph1610 mph N
Wed 7/103924 mph2214 mph NW
Thu 8/103723 mph2113 mph SW
Fri 9/105031 mph2817 mph W
Sat 10/104025 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Abbeyleix

Abbeyleix, or Mainistir Laoise, is situated inland in County Laois, approximately 81 km from the coast. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. In Abbeyleix, these winds are typically moderated by its inland location. Wind speeds are generally lower than coastal areas, but gusts can still be significant. Gusts are transient increases in wind speed, often exceeding the mean wind speed by a considerable margin. While the county's mean 10-metre wind speed is roughly 3.5-5.5 m/s, higher gusts can be expected, particularly during frontal systems. The Wind Agent provides real-time data for Abbeyleix, showing current wind speeds, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust trends, offering a precise local picture.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind patterns in Abbeyleix largely follow those of County Laois, which experiences its calmest periods in summer and autumn. The windiest spells are typically observed during winter and early spring, as Atlantic depressions track across the country. During these months, frontal systems can bring stronger winds and more pronounced gusts. While Abbeyleix is inland, the general trend of increased wind activity during the colder months holds true. The county's wind climate notes indicate that hills and open bogland elsewhere in the county see the biggest gusts during these periods. Even in summer, convective activity can lead to localised gusty conditions, though these are generally less widespread than winter frontal winds.

Exposure and shelter

Abbeyleix's inland position means it is generally more sheltered than coastal locations. However, exposure to wind can vary significantly within the town itself depending on local topography and built environment. Open areas will experience more direct wind flow, while buildings and trees can provide shelter, creating localised areas of reduced wind speed in their lee. Conversely, wind can be channelled and accelerated between buildings, leading to funnelling effects. County Laois is described as an inland county with open plains and midland bog, suggesting that areas around Abbeyleix that are similarly open will be more exposed to the prevailing winds. The Slieve Bloom Mountains elsewhere in the county and open bogland are noted as gust hotspots at the county level.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Abbeyleix. For agriculture, a key sector in County Laois, wind speed and direction are critical for timing activities such as spraying and silage making. High winds can lead to spray drift and hinder efficient silage production. The logistics sector also benefits from wind data, as strong winds can affect vehicle stability and fuel consumption. Building and roofing work in Abbeyleix requires careful consideration of wind conditions for worker safety and material handling. For local events and festivals, such as those held at Ratheniska or Stradbally Hall, wind forecasts are essential for setting up temporary structures and ensuring participant comfort. Outdoor recreational activities, including walking, also benefit from understanding wind conditions, particularly wind chill in colder weather.

Near Abbeyleix

Abbeyleix is in Co. Laois, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (29 km), Gurteen (47 km) and Mullingar (70 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Lisdowney Wind Farm, about 17 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Abbeyleix

When is it windiest in Abbeyleix?

Abbeyleix generally experiences its windiest conditions during the winter and early spring months. This is when Atlantic frontal systems are most active, bringing stronger winds and more frequent gusts across Ireland. Summer and autumn tend to be calmer, although localised gusty conditions can still occur.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Abbeyleix?

Across Ireland, the strongest winds and gusts are typically associated with weather systems arriving from the west or southwest. While local topography in Abbeyleix can modify these, winds from these general directions are most likely to bring the highest gust speeds to the area.

How do I interpret the gust speed versus the mean wind speed?

The mean wind speed represents the average wind speed over a period, typically 10 minutes. Gust speed is the highest instantaneous wind speed recorded within that same period. Gusts are always higher than the mean wind speed and can be significantly stronger, indicating short, powerful bursts of wind that are important for activities sensitive to sudden wind increases.

Go deeper

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

Measurement · how the environment affects wind dataSiting and exposure: why location changes the readingWind measurements are highly sensitive to their immediate surroundings. Obstacles, terrain, and proximity to the coast all influence observed wind speeds and directions, making careful siting crucial for representative data. The instrument accounts for these factors in its data presentation.Read Fundamentals · where the ground meets the windFriction and the atmospheric boundary layerThe atmospheric boundary layer is the lowest part of the atmosphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface. Within this layer, friction slows and turns the wind, creating shear and turbulence that are critical for surface operations.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 13:50 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.