Wind forecast Carlingford today

Wind in Carlingford right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Carlingford

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 9 and 28 km/h (6 to 17 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 48 km/h (30 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 54 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Thu 8/10, gusts to 37 km/h (23 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Carlingford

Carlingford, known in Irish as Cairlinn, is a coastal town in County Louth. Wind conditions here are influenced by its position on the Irish Sea coast. The county's coastal mean 10 m wind speed is approximately 4.5-6 m/s. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed. Carlingford Lough is noted for funnelling strong gusts, which can lead to localised increases in wind strength. While the prevailing winds across Ireland are westerly, the east coast, where Carlingford is situated, experiences some shelter from these. However, specific local topography can modify these general patterns, and coastal areas are generally windier than inland locations. The Wind Agent provides precise, localised data for Carlingford, showing current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Carlingford generally aligns with broader Irish conditions, although local factors introduce variations. Winter typically brings stronger westerly gales, but the east coast location provides some partial shelter from these. Spring often sees easterly winds, which are a distinctive pattern for the Irish Sea. During summer, a sea breeze can develop on afternoons near the coast. This phenomenon can increase wind speeds by 2-4 m/s and shift the wind direction to onshore. These sea breezes are a characteristic feature of the Irish Sea in warmer months. Overall, the strongest winds are generally observed during the winter months, with lighter and more variable winds in summer.

Exposure and shelter

Carlingford's coastal location means it is generally more exposed to wind than inland areas. The town is approximately 1 km from the coast. The exposure in Carlingford can be significantly affected by the funnelling effect of Carlingford Lough, which is known to channel strong gusts. While the Cooley mountains are present in the north of the county, and their peaks are exposed, the direct shelter or exposure for Carlingford itself will depend on the specific wind direction and local terrain. Buildings and other structures can provide localised shelter, creating areas of reduced wind speed in their lee. The county's dominant wind direction is SW, which will influence the exposure of different aspects of the town.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are relevant for several activities in Carlingford. For the manufacturing and ports sectors in County Louth, wind data is important for planning operations, especially for loading and unloading at Carlingford Marina and Warrenpoint Port. The agriculture sector uses wind information for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where wind speed and direction are critical factors. Given the presence of golf and tourism in the county, wind forecasts assist in planning outdoor activities. For general sea use, including at Carlingford Lough Windsurf, understanding wind conditions is essential. Building and roofing work also benefits from precise wind data, particularly when working at height or with large materials.

Near Carlingford

Carlingford is in Co. Louth, one of 10 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Dunsany (66 km), George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (67 km) and Dublin Airport (68 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Slieve Rushen Wind Farm, about 100 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Carlingford

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