Wind forecast Kinsale today

Wind in Kinsale right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Kinsale

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 19 km/h (2 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 37 km/h (23 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 56 km/h (35 mph). The calmest is Sun 4/10, gusts to 35 km/h (22 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Kinsale

Kinsale, or Cionn tSáile, is a coastal town in County Cork, experiencing wind patterns typical of Ireland's south coast. The prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. Gusts are a common feature of the wind here, often exceeding the mean wind speed significantly. The county's coastal areas generally experience mean 10 m wind speeds of approximately 5.5-7.5 m/s. While Kinsale is coastal, its specific exposure will be influenced by local topography. Winter typically brings stronger winds and gales, with spring seeing a dominance of southwesterlies. Summer months tend to have lighter winds, often augmented by an afternoon sea breeze along the south coast, which can increase wind speeds by 2-4 m/s and shift the wind direction onshore.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Kinsale largely follows that of County Cork. The winter months are generally the windiest, with frequent strong winds and gales associated with Atlantic depressions. Spring continues to see dominant southwesterly winds. As summer approaches, the overall wind speeds tend to decrease, and periods of lighter wind are more common. During summer afternoons, particularly on the south coast, a sea breeze can develop. This phenomenon is generated by temperature differences between the land and sea, drawing cooler air inland and often increasing wind speeds near the coast. Autumn sees a gradual return to stronger wind conditions as Atlantic weather systems become more active.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Kinsale's exposure to wind is generally higher than inland locations. However, local topography will play a significant role in how wind is experienced within the town itself. Buildings and any surrounding elevated terrain can provide shelter, reducing wind speeds in their lee. Conversely, wind can be channelled or funnelled through gaps, leading to localised increases in speed. The nearby coast means that wind direction, particularly during summer sea breeze events, will influence whether a location is directly exposed to onshore flow. While the county notes strong gusts on headlands elsewhere in Cork, Kinsale's specific coastal orientation will determine its direct exposure to such conditions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind forecasts are relevant for several activities in Kinsale. For the fishing industry, knowing wind speed and direction is critical for planning trips and ensuring crew well-being. The Kinsale Yacht Club Marina indicates significant marine activity, where wind conditions directly impact sailing, mooring, and general harbour operations. Tourism, a key sector in County Cork, benefits from wind information for outdoor activities. Golfers at Kinsale Farrangalway Golf will consider wind for playability. Farmers in the wider area rely on wind forecasts for tasks like spraying and timing silage. Building and roofing work, common in any town, also requires wind awareness for operational planning and worker considerations.

Near Kinsale

Kinsale is in Co. Cork, one of 32 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Cork Airport EICK (METAR) (15 km), Cork Airport (16 km) and Roches Point (22 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Boggeragh Wind Farm, about 50 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Kinsale

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