― WIND · CO. CARLOW

Wind forecast Carlow today

Now 13 km/h SW, gusts 25 km/h (8 mph, gusts 16 mph) at Carlow (Ceatharlach), Co. Carlow. 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 Carlow right now

WIND AT 10 M13 km/h8 mphfrom the SW (218°)
GUST AT 10 M25 km/h16 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M23 km/h14 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M25 km/h16 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY15:00: 16 km/h (10 mph) from the SW, gusting 32 km/h (20 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 61 km away): 22 km/h (14 mph) from the SW. Measured at 13:00, 57 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Carlow

Meteogram Carlow
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Carlow…

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

Wind rose Carlow
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Carlow…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Carlow, 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 SSW. The strongest gust is 32 km/h (20 mph) at Sun 15:00. 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 SW127 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Sun 14:00 SW138 mph2616 mph2415 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph2717 mph
Sun 17:00 SW159 mph3019 mph2616 mph
Sun 18:00 SSW149 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW149 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Sun 20:00 SSW149 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW159 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Sun 22:00 SSW138 mph2616 mph2516 mph
Sun 23:00 SSW138 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Mon 00:00 SSW138 mph2717 mph2717 mph
Mon 01:00 SSW127 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 02:00 SSW127 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Mon 03:00 SSW138 mph2616 mph2516 mph
Mon 04:00 SSW127 mph2415 mph2314 mph
Mon 05:00 SSW127 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 06:00 SSW127 mph2415 mph2314 mph
Mon 07:00 SSW106 mph2214 mph2214 mph
Mon 08:00 S106 mph2113 mph2012 mph
Mon 09:00 S106 mph2012 mph1912 mph
Mon 10:00 SSW106 mph2012 mph1912 mph
Mon 11:00 SSW127 mph2415 mph2214 mph
Mon 12:00 SW127 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW127 mph2415 mph2214 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW106 mph2113 mph1912 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW117 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW117 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Mon 17:00 W127 mph2516 mph2113 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW106 mph2214 mph1912 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW96 mph1811 mph1811 mph
Mon 20:00 W96 mph1711 mph1811 mph
Mon 21:00 W106 mph2012 mph2012 mph
Mon 22:00 W106 mph2012 mph1912 mph
Mon 23:00 SW74 mph159 mph127 mph
Tue 00:00 SSW85 mph1610 mph159 mph
Tue 01:00 SW74 mph149 mph138 mph
Tue 02:00 SSW74 mph149 mph138 mph
Tue 03:00 SSW74 mph159 mph149 mph
Tue 04:00 SW64 mph138 mph149 mph
Tue 05:00 SSW85 mph1610 mph127 mph
Tue 06:00 SSE85 mph159 mph149 mph
Tue 07:00 S74 mph138 mph96 mph
Tue 08:00 NNW127 mph2516 mph2012 mph
Tue 09:00 NNW127 mph2516 mph2012 mph
Tue 10:00 NNW1610 mph3220 mph2717 mph
Tue 11:00 N1610 mph3019 mph2415 mph
Tue 12:00 N1711 mph3220 mph2415 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 47 km/h (29 mph). The calmest is Mon 5/10, gusts to 27 km/h (17 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 mph1610 mph S
Mon 5/102717 mph138 mph SW
Tue 6/103220 mph1811 mph NNW
Wed 7/103924 mph2214 mph NW
Thu 8/102717 mph1610 mph SW
Fri 9/104729 mph2717 mph W
Sat 10/104025 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Carlow

Carlow (Ceatharlach) is an inland town in County Carlow, approximately 52 km from the coast. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the westerly quarter, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. This results in Carlow experiencing wind patterns typical of an inland location, with average wind speeds generally lower than coastal areas. Gusts, however, can significantly exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during the passage of frontal systems. The county's mean 10 m wind is approximately 3.5-5.5 m/s, though this can be higher on more exposed terrain elsewhere in the county. The live data, 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecast provided by The Wind Agent offer a detailed view of current and anticipated wind conditions for Carlow.

Seasonal pattern

County Carlow generally experiences its calmest periods in summer and autumn. The windiest spells are typically observed in winter and early spring, when Atlantic depressions and frontal systems frequently cross Ireland. While Carlow itself is sheltered within the Barrow valley, the county's overall wind climate reflects these seasonal variations. Stronger winds and gusts are more prevalent during these cooler months. Summer afternoons may occasionally experience light sea breezes, though their influence diminishes significantly further inland. The provided 7-day gust forecast can indicate short-term deviations from these general seasonal trends.

Exposure and shelter

Carlow is situated in the Barrow valley, which provides a degree of shelter from the wind. However, exposure can vary within the town depending on local topography and built environments. Buildings and other structures can create localised shelter or, conversely, channel wind, leading to funnelling effects. While the town itself is sheltered, elsewhere in the county, areas like Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs ridge are noted for producing strong gusts due to their elevation and exposure. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest, meaning that wind from this quarter may be more noticeable in exposed areas of Carlow.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Carlow. For agriculture, particularly tillage, wind speed and direction are crucial for activities such as spraying and silage timing, ensuring optimal conditions for crop management. Building and roofing work also benefits from precise wind data, especially when working at height, to manage safety and material handling. Local sports, including GAA pitches, can be affected by wind, influencing play. While Carlow is inland, general outdoor activities like walking are also impacted by wind chill and gust strength. The nearby Carlow-Kildare Tillage area, Stradbally Hall, and Ratheniska also benefit from detailed wind awareness.

Near Carlow

Carlow is in Co. Carlow, one of 3 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (2 km), Casement (61 km) and Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (64 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Lisdowney Wind Farm, about 33 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Carlow

When is Carlow typically windiest?

Carlow generally experiences its windiest conditions in winter and early spring, as frontal systems cross Ireland. The calmest periods are usually in summer and autumn. However, strong gusts can occur at any time of year, especially during unsettled weather.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Carlow?

The dominant wind direction for County Carlow is from the southwest. While specific local effects can vary, winds from this general direction are often associated with the passage of Atlantic weather systems, which can bring stronger gusts.

Where can I find the nearest official wind measurements for Carlow?

The nearest observing station to Carlow providing official wind measurements is Oak Park, approximately 2 km away. The Wind Agent provides live data for Carlow, which is derived from a precise model, offering specific local insights.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Carlow, 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 13:52 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.