― WIND · CO. KILDARE

Wind forecast Athy today

Now 17 km/h SW, gusts 32 km/h (11 mph, gusts 20 mph) at Athy (Baile Átha Í), Co. Kildare. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:15 Irish time.

Wind in Athy right now

WIND AT 10 M17 km/h11 mphfrom the SW (225°)
GUST AT 10 M32 km/h20 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M28 km/h17 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M30 km/h19 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY14:00: 17 km/h (11 mph) from the SW, gusting 32 km/h (20 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 50 km away): 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW. Measured at 14:00, 25 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Athy

Meteogram Athy
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Athy…

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

Wind rose Athy
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Athy…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 17 km/h (4 to 11 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 34 km/h (21 mph) at Mon 12:00. 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 SW1711 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2717 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2616 mph
Sun 17:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Sun 18:00 SW159 mph2918 mph2817 mph
Sun 19:00 SW127 mph2314 mph2516 mph
Sun 20:00 SW127 mph2214 mph2616 mph
Sun 21:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph3119 mph
Sun 22:00 SW159 mph2817 mph3119 mph
Sun 23:00 SSW138 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Mon 00:00 SSW159 mph2817 mph2918 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW1610 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Mon 02:00 SSW159 mph2918 mph2918 mph
Mon 03:00 SSW159 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Mon 04:00 SSW149 mph2717 mph2717 mph
Mon 05:00 SSW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 06:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 07:00 SSW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 08:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Mon 09:00 SW138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 10:00 SW138 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW149 mph2616 mph2314 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW1711 mph3421 mph3119 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW1711 mph3321 mph2918 mph
Mon 14:00 W1610 mph3019 mph2616 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW1610 mph3019 mph2616 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW138 mph2516 mph2214 mph
Mon 18:00 SW127 mph2214 mph2113 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW106 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Mon 20:00 SW96 mph1811 mph1811 mph
Mon 21:00 WSW96 mph1811 mph2012 mph
Mon 22:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Mon 23:00 SW64 mph117 mph149 mph
Tue 00:00 SSW64 mph117 mph127 mph
Tue 01:00 SW64 mph106 mph138 mph
Tue 02:00 SSW85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Tue 03:00 S74 mph138 mph159 mph
Tue 04:00 S85 mph1610 mph1610 mph
Tue 05:00 S85 mph1610 mph1711 mph
Tue 06:00 S74 mph127 mph138 mph
Tue 07:00 NW74 mph1610 mph74 mph
Tue 08:00 NNW159 mph2918 mph2415 mph
Tue 09:00 N149 mph2817 mph2415 mph
Tue 10:00 N149 mph2717 mph2415 mph
Tue 11:00 N85 mph1610 mph149 mph
Tue 12:00 N127 mph2314 mph2012 mph
Tue 13:00 N127 mph2314 mph1912 mph

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 29 km/h (18 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 4/103220 mph1711 mph SSW
Mon 5/103421 mph1711 mph SW
Tue 6/102918 mph159 mph NNW
Wed 7/104125 mph2214 mph NW
Thu 8/103220 mph1811 mph SW
Fri 9/104930 mph2717 mph W
Sat 10/103924 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Athy

Athy, or Baile Átha Í, is situated in County Kildare, an inland county characterised by low-lying plains. The town is approximately 60 km from the coast. As with much of Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the south-west, driven by Atlantic weather systems. Wind speeds generally increase with height, so wind measured at 10 metres will typically be lower than at 80 metres or 120 metres. Gusts, which are sudden, brief increases in wind speed, can significantly exceed the mean wind speed. In inland areas like Athy, while overall wind speeds may be lower than coastal locations, open farmland and plains can still allow for unobstructed gusts, particularly during winter and early spring.

Seasonal pattern

The wind climate in County Kildare, where Athy is located, shows a clear seasonal pattern. The county is noted for being among the calmest regions in summer and autumn. During these seasons, wind speeds are generally lower, and extended periods of lighter winds can occur. The windiest spells are typically observed in winter and early spring. This is when frontal systems from the Atlantic frequently cross Ireland, bringing stronger winds and more pronounced gusts. Open bogland and any higher ground elsewhere in the county can experience the biggest gusts during these periods.

Exposure and shelter

Athy is located in County Kildare, an inland county with a landscape of low-lying plains and the Curragh. This terrain offers limited natural shelter, making the area generally open to the wind. The county's dominant wind direction is from the south-west. While local topography, such as buildings or tree lines, can provide some shelter from the wind in their immediate lee, the broader area around Athy is exposed. The open nature of the farmland, such as the Carlow-Kildare Tillage area nearby, means that wind can travel relatively unimpeded, contributing to the experience of gusts, especially from the prevailing south-westerly direction.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are relevant for several sectors in and around Athy. For agriculture, which is a key sector in County Kildare, timing operations such as spraying and silage cutting depends on suitable wind conditions. The horse racing and breeding industry also monitors wind, as strong winds can affect performance and conditions for animals. Logistics and aviation (with Weston Airport nearby) are sensitive to wind for operational planning and safety. For general activities like walking or outdoor sports on GAA pitches, understanding wind strength and direction helps in planning. Building and roofing work also requires consideration of wind for safety and material handling.

Near Athy

Athy is in Co. Kildare, one of 22 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (15 km), Casement (51 km) and Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (52 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 36 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Athy

When is it windiest in Athy?

Based on county-level climate notes for Kildare, Athy typically experiences its windiest periods in winter and early spring, when Atlantic frontal systems are more frequent. Summer and autumn tend to be calmer.

Which direction brings the strongest gusts to Athy?

The dominant wind direction in County Kildare is from the south-west. Strongest gusts are generally associated with these prevailing winds, especially when open areas allow for unobstructed flow.

Where can I get the nearest measured wind data for Athy?

The nearest observing stations to Athy providing measured wind data include Oak Park, approximately 15 km away, and Casement, about 51 km distant. Weston Airport also provides METAR observations.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Athy, 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 14:24 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.