Wind forecast Athlone today

Wind in Athlone right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Athlone

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 19 km/h (4 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 39 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 49 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 25 km/h (16 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Athlone

Athlone, or Baile Átha Luain, is situated in County Westmeath, an inland county in the province of Leinster. As an inland location, approximately 67 km from the coast, Athlone generally experiences less extreme wind conditions compared to coastal areas of Ireland. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the westerly quarter, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. While the county's dominant wind direction is noted as south-westerly, local topography around Athlone can modify this. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed. The Wind Agent provides both current and historical wind data, including mean wind speeds and gust information for Athlone, reflecting these local conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Athlone, consistent with much of inland Ireland, shows variations throughout the year. Winter and early spring are typically the windiest periods, as frontal systems frequently cross the country, bringing stronger winds. Conversely, summer and autumn are generally calmer. The county-level mean 10-meter wind speed is approximately 3.5-5.5 m/s, though this can be higher in more exposed areas. While the county is noted for being one of the calmer regions in summer and autumn, the strongest gusts are still observed during the windier spells of winter and early spring. The Wind Agent's 48-hour and 7-day data tables will show these short-term fluctuations.

Exposure and shelter

Athlone's inland location means it is not directly exposed to oceanic winds. County Westmeath is characterised by its lakeland landscape, including Lough Ree, Lough Ennell, and Lough Owel, as well as farmland and bogland. While the town itself benefits from some shelter due to buildings and local terrain, open areas, particularly near Lough Ree, can experience gusty squalls due to the fetch across the water. Elsewhere in the county, open bogland can also produce significant gusts. The general principle of shelter applies: areas in the lee of hills or substantial structures will experience reduced wind speeds compared to more exposed locations. The Wind Agent provides data for a specific point, which will reflect the local exposure of that measurement.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in Athlone and County Westmeath. For agriculture, knowing wind speed and direction is crucial for tasks like spraying and silage timing, ensuring optimal conditions and minimising drift. The logistics sector, which is prominent in the county, can use wind data for planning routes and managing high-sided vehicles, particularly in gusty conditions. Tourism activities, especially those on or near Lough Ree, benefit from precise wind information for water sports and boating. Manufacturing operations may also consider wind conditions for certain processes or outdoor work. General uses include planning outdoor activities, building and roofing work, and assessing wind chill, which can be significant even at moderate temperatures.

Near Athlone

Athlone is in Co. Westmeath, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Mt Dillon (34 km), Mullingar (40 km) and Gurteen (42 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm, about 40 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Athlone

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