― WIND · CO. KERRY

Wind forecast Ballybunnion today

Now 25 km/h SSW, gusts 45 km/h (16 mph, gusts 28 mph) at Ballybunnion (Baile an Bhuinneánaigh), Co. Kerry. That is Beaufort force 4, a moderate breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.

Wind in Ballybunnion right now

WIND AT 10 M25 km/h16 mphfrom the SSW (212°)
GUST AT 10 M45 km/h28 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M41 km/h25 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M44 km/h27 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY16:00: 26 km/h (16 mph) from the SSW, gusting 46 km/h (29 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONKerry Airport (EIKY, 38 km away): 26 km/h (16 mph) from the WSW. Measured at 14:00, 33 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Ballybunnion

Meteogram Ballybunnion
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Ballybunnion…

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

Wind rose Ballybunnion
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Ballybunnion…

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

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 26 km/h (4 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 49 km/h (30 mph) at Mon 07:00. 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 SSW2516 mph4629 mph4226 mph
Sun 15:00 SW2314 mph4327 mph4025 mph
Sun 16:00 SSW2616 mph4629 mph4125 mph
Sun 17:00 SW2314 mph4226 mph3824 mph
Sun 18:00 SSW2113 mph3824 mph3723 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW2214 mph4125 mph3924 mph
Sun 20:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW1811 mph3321 mph3220 mph
Sun 22:00 SSW1811 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 02:00 SSW2012 mph3723 mph3522 mph
Mon 03:00 SW2012 mph3622 mph3622 mph
Mon 04:00 SW2113 mph4025 mph3723 mph
Mon 05:00 SW2314 mph4327 mph3924 mph
Mon 06:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3421 mph
Mon 07:00 WSW2616 mph4930 mph4528 mph
Mon 08:00 WSW1811 mph3421 mph3321 mph
Mon 09:00 WSW2012 mph3723 mph3622 mph
Mon 10:00 WSW1912 mph3622 mph3321 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2214 mph4025 mph3522 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2113 mph3924 mph3522 mph
Mon 13:00 SW2113 mph3924 mph3522 mph
Mon 14:00 SW2012 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Mon 15:00 SW2012 mph3723 mph3220 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW1912 mph3522 mph3119 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW1811 mph3421 mph3019 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW1610 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Mon 20:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2817 mph
Mon 21:00 SW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Tue 00:00 SW127 mph2314 mph2214 mph
Tue 01:00 SW127 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Tue 02:00 SSW127 mph2113 mph2113 mph
Tue 03:00 SSW127 mph2214 mph2214 mph
Tue 04:00 NNW74 mph127 mph127 mph
Tue 05:00 N106 mph1912 mph1912 mph
Tue 06:00 N1610 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Tue 07:00 NNE1811 mph3421 mph3019 mph
Tue 08:00 NNE1711 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Tue 09:00 NNE1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Tue 10:00 NNE127 mph2214 mph2012 mph
Tue 11:00 NNE1610 mph3019 mph2616 mph
Tue 12:00 NNE1610 mph3019 mph2516 mph
Tue 13:00 NNE138 mph2516 mph2113 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 61 km/h (38 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 34 km/h (21 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 4/104629 mph2616 mph SSW
Mon 5/104930 mph2616 mph SW
Tue 6/103421 mph1811 mph N
Wed 7/104830 mph2717 mph NW
Thu 8/105132 mph3220 mph WSW
Fri 9/106138 mph3723 mph W
Sat 10/105031 mph3019 mph W

What the wind does in Ballybunnion

Ballybunnion (Baile an Bhuinneánaigh) is located on the coast in County Kerry, a county known for its exposure to Atlantic weather systems. The prevailing winds are generally from the south-west, a common pattern across Ireland. Wind speeds at coastal locations in County Kerry typically range from approximately 6.5 to 8.5 m/s at 10 metres above ground, with slightly lower speeds a few kilometres inland. Gusts will routinely exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger winds. The Wind Agent provides current observations and historical data for the past 48 hours and 7 days, allowing for a precise understanding of recent wind conditions in Ballybunnion.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Ballybunnion follows the general trend for County Kerry. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically experienced from November to February, driven by Atlantic depressions. Conversely, the period from June to August tends to be the lightest in terms of wind. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can develop along the coast, leading to a temporary increase in wind speed. Coastal stations and offshore buoys in County Kerry can provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts, often leading inland locations by several hours. This information can be useful for planning activities in Ballybunnion.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal location, Ballybunnion is directly exposed to winds from the Atlantic. The degree of exposure can vary depending on the specific orientation of the coastline and local topography. While the immediate coastal areas are generally more exposed, some shelter may be found in the lee of buildings or localised terrain features. Elsewhere in County Kerry, the five Atlantic peninsulas and mountain ranges, including Carrauntoohil, contribute to significant exposure. Gust hotspots are noted in areas like Dingle, the Ring of Kerry, and Slea Head, and mountain passes can funnel wind, leading to increased speeds. These county-level observations illustrate the varied wind environment of the region.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in Ballybunnion. For tourism and general outdoor recreation, understanding wind conditions is important for comfort and safety. The local surf and kitesurf community relies on precise wind data for planning sessions. Farmers in the area use wind forecasts for timing activities such as spraying and silage, where wind speed and direction are critical factors. Building and roofing work also benefits from knowing wind conditions to ensure operational safety. For sea users, including those involved in fishing, wind forecasts are essential for navigating and planning trips.

Near Ballybunnion

Ballybunnion is in Co. Kerry, one of 9 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Kerry Airport EIKY (METAR) (38 km), Shannon Airport (54 km) and Shannon Airport EINN (METAR) (55 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Tournafulla Wind Farm, about 36 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Ballybunnion

When is it windiest in Ballybunnion?

Based on county-level climate notes, Ballybunnion is typically windiest from November to February, due to the influence of Atlantic depressions. The lightest winds usually occur from June to August.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Ballybunnion?

The strongest and gustiest conditions in County Kerry, and generally across Ireland, are often associated with south-westerly winds, which are the prevailing direction for Atlantic weather systems.

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

The gust speed represents the maximum instantaneous wind speed recorded, while the mean wind speed is an average over a period. Gusts will always exceed the mean, and this difference is important for activities sensitive to sudden wind increases.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Ballybunnion, 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.