Wind forecast Clara today

Wind in Clara right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Clara

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 21 km/h (4 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 38 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 13:00. 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 24 km/h (15 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Clara

Clara, or Clóirtheach, is situated in County Offaly, an inland county within the province of Leinster. The prevailing winds across Ireland are typically from the west or southwest, driven by Atlantic weather systems. For Clara, this means that the most frequent and often strongest winds will generally originate from the southwest. While gusts can significantly exceed the mean wind speed in any location, inland areas like Clara, approximately 86 km from the coast, tend to experience less extreme wind speeds than coastal locations. The county-level mean wind speed is roughly 3.5-5.5 m/s, with higher speeds possible in more exposed areas. Wind speeds are generally measured at 10 metres above ground level, but wind farms measure at 80 or 120 metres, where speeds are typically higher.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind patterns in Clara generally align with those observed across the Irish Midlands. Winter and early spring typically bring the strongest winds, as frontal systems from the Atlantic frequently cross the country. Conversely, summer and autumn are often the calmest periods. While the county notes suggest that the Midlands are among the calmer regions during these months, significant gusts can still occur, particularly during passing weather systems. The county's wind climate is influenced by its midlands location, characterised by bogland and the Shannon callows, which can offer varying degrees of exposure depending on the specific terrain. Open areas of cutaway bog, for instance, can experience strong gusts due to a lack of shelter.

Exposure and shelter

Clara's location in County Offaly means its wind exposure is primarily influenced by inland terrain. The county is dominated by bogland, the Shannon callows, and the Slieve Bloom edge elsewhere in the county. These features contribute to a varied landscape where exposure can differ. Open areas, particularly those with extensive bogland, offer little shelter and can experience stronger winds and more pronounced gusts. Conversely, built-up areas within Clara itself, or areas with significant tree cover, can provide some degree of shelter, reducing local wind speeds. However, the general absence of major topographical features immediately surrounding Clara means that large-scale shelter from prevailing winds is limited. Wind funnelling effects can occur in narrower passages or between structures, potentially increasing local wind speeds.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind conditions is relevant for several sectors in and around Clara. For agriculture, wind forecasts are important for planning activities such as spraying and silage making, where calm conditions are often preferred. The county's peat and wind energy sectors, including the nearby Mountlucas Wind Farm, rely heavily on accurate wind data for operational efficiency and energy generation. Manufacturing operations may consider wind for ventilation or structural integrity. For general activities like walking, wind speed and direction, along with temperature, contribute to the perceived comfort or wind chill. Building and roofing work also requires consideration of wind conditions for safety and material handling. Accurate wind information from The Wind Agent can therefore support decision-making across these various local activities.

Near Clara

Clara is in Co. Offaly, one of 7 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Mullingar (28 km), Gurteen (42 km) and Mt Dillon (49 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 26 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Clara

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