Wind forecast Loughrea today

Wind in Loughrea right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Loughrea

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 22 km/h (4 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 41 km/h (25 mph) at Sun 15:00. 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 Tue 6/10, gusts to 23 km/h (14 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Loughrea

Loughrea, or Baile Locha Riach, is situated inland in County Galway, approximately 22 km from the coast. The prevailing wind direction across County Galway is from the southwest, a pattern influenced by Atlantic weather systems. While the county's coastal areas experience mean wind speeds of approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, inland locations like Loughrea typically see somewhat lower speeds, estimated to be about 5-7 m/s at a few kilometres inland. Gusts, which are sudden, short-term increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during stronger wind events. Wind measurements at 10 m, 80 m, and 120 m heights will show increasing speeds with altitude due to less ground friction.

Seasonal pattern

The wind patterns in Loughrea generally follow the seasonal trends observed across County Galway. The strongest and gustiest winds are typically experienced from November to February, coinciding with the passage of Atlantic depressions. Conversely, the lightest winds usually occur from June to August. During summer afternoons, while Loughrea is inland, coastal areas of County Galway can experience a sea breeze. This phenomenon, where cooler air from the sea moves inland, may subtly influence air movements further inland. Coastal observing stations and offshore buoys elsewhere in the county often register changes in wind conditions several hours before inland locations when a weather front approaches, serving as an early indicator.

Exposure and shelter

Loughrea's inland location means its wind exposure differs from coastal areas of County Galway. Shelter is provided by surrounding terrain and structures, which can reduce wind speeds at ground level. However, local topography can also funnel wind, potentially increasing speeds in specific areas. The Derrybrien Wind Farm, approximately 13 km away, indicates that the broader region is considered suitable for wind energy generation. Wind chill is a factor to consider, as the perceived temperature can be significantly lower than the actual air temperature when wind speeds are high. Gusts can be significantly higher than the average wind speed, especially in exposed locations.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for various activities in Loughrea. For farming, wind speed and direction are critical for timing operations such as spraying, silage, and managing livestock. Building and roofing work requires careful consideration of wind conditions for worker safety and material handling. The local economy, which includes tourism and festivals, can be impacted by wind, influencing outdoor event planning and participant comfort. The presence of Derrybrien Wind Farm nearby highlights the relevance of wind data for the wind energy sector. For general outdoor activities like walking, understanding wind conditions helps in planning and ensuring comfort.

Near Loughrea

Loughrea is in Co. Galway, one of 14 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Athenry (18 km), Gurteen (41 km) and Shannon Airport EINN (METAR) (60 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Derrybrien Wind Farm, about 13 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Loughrea

Go deeper

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