Wind forecast Dundalk today

Wind in Dundalk right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Dundalk

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 21 km/h (2 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 18 km/h (11 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Dundalk

Dundalk, or Dún Dealgan, is located in County Louth, approximately 4 km from the coast of the Irish Sea. As a coastal town, it experiences wind patterns influenced by both its proximity to the sea and the broader atmospheric conditions affecting Ireland. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest. Wind speeds are generally higher at the coast compared to inland areas. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will typically exceed the mean wind speed. Coastal mean 10 m wind speeds in County Louth are approximately 4.5-6 m/s, with inland areas seeing around 3.5-5 m/s. These figures are approximate and based on ERA5-like data for the wider county. Depressions tracking across the Atlantic frequently bring strong winds and gales to Ireland, affecting Dundalk.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind patterns in Dundalk align with general Irish climate trends. Winter typically brings the strongest winds, often from westerly directions, including gales. However, the east coast, where Dundalk is situated, can experience some shelter from these westerly gales. Spring can see more easterly winds. During summer, a sea breeze effect is common along the Irish Sea coast. This phenomenon occurs on warm, sunny afternoons when the land heats up faster than the sea, drawing cooler air inland. A sea breeze can add an additional 2-4 m/s to wind speeds near the coast and shift the wind direction onshore. This pattern is distinctive for the Irish Sea region.

Exposure and shelter

Dundalk's coastal location means it is generally more exposed to wind than inland areas. However, its specific exposure will depend on the local topography and the prevailing wind direction. The town is approximately 4 km from the coast. While the county has a coastline along the Irish Sea, the immediate coastal exposure for Dundalk itself will be influenced by local features. Shelter can be found in the lee of buildings or hills. Elsewhere in County Louth, the Cooley mountains in the north provide terrain that can influence wind patterns, and Carlingford Lough is noted for funnelling strong gusts. The smallest county, Louth's coastline stretches from Carlingford to Clogherhead, contributing to varied exposure across the region.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several sectors in Dundalk. For the manufacturing and ports sectors, such as Dundalk Port, wind data is crucial for operational planning, cargo handling, and vessel movements. In agriculture, including farming activities in the surrounding areas, wind forecasts assist with decisions regarding spraying, silage timing, and general field work. The golf sector, represented by Dundalk Golf Club, uses wind information to understand playing conditions. For general activities like building and roofing, wind data helps in planning work and ensuring safety. For those involved in sea use activities, understanding wind direction and strength is essential for navigation and safety on the water.

Near Dundalk

Dundalk is in Co. Louth, one of 10 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Dunsany (56 km), Ballyhaise (59 km) and Dublin Airport (64 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Slieve Rushen Wind Farm, about 87 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Dundalk

Go deeper

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