Wind forecast Cork today

Wind in Cork right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Cork

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 16 km/h (2 to 10 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 33 km/h (21 mph) at Tue 12:00. 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 51 km/h (32 mph). The calmest is Thu 8/10, gusts to 30 km/h (19 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Cork

Cork, or Corcaigh, is a coastal city located approximately 3 km from the coast in County Cork. Wind conditions here are influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic and the general weather patterns affecting Ireland. While coastal areas in County Cork typically experience mean 10-metre wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland areas are closer to 4.5-6 m/s, though these are approximate county-level figures. Gusts, which are short-term increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The city's location means it is subject to the prevailing westerlies and the influence of Atlantic depressions, which can bring significant wind events. The nearby Cork Airport (~5 km) and Cork Airport EICK (METAR) (~6 km) provide local measured wind data.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Cork generally follows that of County Cork. Winter typically sees the strongest winds, with gales being more frequent. Spring is often characterised by dominant southwesterlies. As summer approaches, the overall wind speeds tend to be lighter. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop along the south coast, potentially adding 2-4 m/s to the wind speed and shifting the wind direction to onshore. This effect is more pronounced closer to the coast. Autumn generally sees a transition back to stronger winds as Atlantic depressions become more frequent again, similar to winter conditions.

Exposure and shelter

Cork's exposure to wind is influenced by its coastal location and surrounding terrain. While the city itself is coastal, the specific exposure depends on local topography and the direction of the wind. The general county-level observation is that Cork Harbour, while sheltered, can still be gusty. Buildings and other structures within the city can create localised areas of shelter or funnelling, altering the wind flow at ground level. Wind speeds are typically higher at greater heights, such as 10 m, 80 m, or 120 m, compared to ground level. Observing stations at Cork Airport (~5 km) and Roches Point (~20 km) provide data on regional wind patterns, which can inform local understanding.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Understanding wind conditions is relevant for various activities in Cork. For the significant pharma and manufacturing sectors, wind can affect operations, particularly for processes sensitive to airborne particles or requiring stable conditions. Food processing and port operations also consider wind for logistics and handling. The tourism sector benefits from wind information for outdoor activities. For wind energy, the prevailing winds are a key resource. Farmers use wind forecasts for planning activities such as spraying and silage timing. For general outdoor activities like walking, or for sports at Pairc Ui Chaoimh (~3 km), wind strength and direction are important. For sea uses, including fishing, wind forecasts are essential for planning and navigation.

Near Cork

Cork is in Co. Cork, one of 32 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Cork Airport (5 km), Cork Airport EICK (METAR) (6 km) and Roches Point (20 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Boggeragh Wind Farm, about 39 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Cork

Go deeper

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