― WIND · CO. LAOIS

Wind forecast Mountrath today

Now 17 km/h SW, gusts 32 km/h (11 mph, gusts 20 mph) at Mountrath (Maighean Rátha), Co. Laois. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 13:00 Irish time.

Wind in Mountrath right now

WIND AT 10 M17 km/h11 mphfrom the SW (226°)
GUST AT 10 M32 km/h20 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M29 km/h18 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M31 km/h19 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY14:00: 18 km/h (11 mph) from the SW, gusting 34 km/h (21 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 77 km away): 22 km/h (14 mph) from the SW. Measured at 13:00, 13 minutes old when this page was built.

Meteogram and wind rose for Mountrath

Meteogram Mountrath
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Mountrath…

The next days at Mountrath: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Mountrath
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Mountrath…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Mountrath, from reanalysis.

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 20 km/h (2 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 38 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 14:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 13:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Sun 14:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3019 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Sun 16:00 SW149 mph2616 mph2616 mph
Sun 17:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Sun 18:00 SW149 mph2717 mph2616 mph
Sun 19:00 SSW149 mph2717 mph2817 mph
Sun 20:00 SW149 mph2717 mph2717 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW1610 mph2918 mph2918 mph
Sun 22:00 SW149 mph2717 mph2717 mph
Sun 23:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2817 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1610 mph2918 mph2918 mph
Mon 01:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 02:00 SSW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2918 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1711 mph3321 mph3119 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Mon 09:00 SW159 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph3019 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW1912 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW1912 mph3522 mph3220 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2012 mph3824 mph3421 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1912 mph3723 mph3220 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW1610 mph3119 mph2717 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW96 mph1811 mph1711 mph
Mon 19:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Mon 20:00 SW96 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 21:00 WSW106 mph1912 mph2113 mph
Mon 22:00 SW85 mph1610 mph1912 mph
Mon 23:00 SW85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 00:00 SW74 mph138 mph159 mph
Tue 01:00 SW85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Tue 02:00 SW85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Tue 03:00 SW85 mph159 mph1711 mph
Tue 04:00 S42 mph74 mph96 mph
Tue 05:00 NNE96 mph1711 mph106 mph
Tue 06:00 N127 mph2314 mph2314 mph
Tue 07:00 NNE1610 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Tue 08:00 NE159 mph2817 mph2616 mph
Tue 09:00 NNE149 mph2616 mph2516 mph
Tue 10:00 NNE127 mph2314 mph2113 mph
Tue 11:00 NNE138 mph2415 mph2012 mph
Tue 12:00 NNE138 mph2516 mph1912 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 48 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 31 km/h (19 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/103421 mph1811 mph SW
Mon 5/103824 mph2012 mph SW
Tue 6/103119 mph1610 mph N
Wed 7/103824 mph2113 mph NW
Thu 8/103321 mph1811 mph SW
Fri 9/104830 mph2717 mph WSW
Sat 10/103824 mph2113 mph W

What the wind does in Mountrath

Mountrath, or Maighean Rátha, is an inland town in County Laois, approximately 92 km from the coast. As with much of Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the west and south-west, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. Wind speeds in Mountrath will generally be lower than coastal locations due to its inland position. Gusts are a notable feature of the wind climate, typically exceeding the mean wind speed, particularly during frontal passages. While the county's mean 10 m wind speed is approximately 3.5-5.5 m/s, local topography and open spaces can influence actual conditions. The Slieve Bloom Mountains and open bogland elsewhere in the county are noted for stronger gusts.

Seasonal pattern

County Laois, where Mountrath is situated, experiences its calmest conditions during the summer and autumn months. The windiest periods typically occur in winter and early spring, when frontal systems frequently cross Ireland. These systems bring stronger winds and higher gusts. While Mountrath is inland, it will still experience these seasonal variations. Localised effects, such as temperature differences over land, can sometimes generate light sea breezes in summer afternoons in coastal areas, but this phenomenon is less relevant for Mountrath due to its distance from the coast. Overall, the wind patterns reflect the broader Irish climate, with distinct seasonal shifts in intensity.

Exposure and shelter

Mountrath's inland location in County Laois means it is generally less exposed to the full force of Atlantic winds compared to coastal areas. The county is described as an inland county with open plains and midland bog. While specific local features in Mountrath are not detailed, the presence of buildings and local terrain will create areas of both shelter and exposure. Wind speeds can be reduced in the lee of structures or elevated ground, while open areas will experience more direct wind flow. The county's dominant wind direction is SW, suggesting that structures oriented to the north-east may offer more shelter from prevailing winds. Wind chill can be a factor, particularly during colder, windier conditions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For agriculture in County Laois, including around Mountrath, wind forecasts are important for planning activities such as spraying and silage timing. Strong winds can affect crop health and the efficiency of farm operations. The manufacturing and logistics sectors in the county may use wind data for managing outdoor operations, securing equipment, and planning transport routes. For festivals and events, such as those held at Ratheniska and Stradbally Hall, wind conditions are a key consideration for setting up temporary structures and ensuring participant comfort. Building and roofing work also depends on wind forecasts for safety and operational planning.

Near Mountrath

Mountrath is in Co. Laois, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Gurteen (36 km), Oak Park (40 km) and Mullingar (61 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Lisdowney Wind Farm, about 27 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Mountrath

When is it generally windiest in Mountrath?

Mountrath, like the rest of County Laois, typically experiences its windiest conditions during the winter and early spring months. These periods are characterised by more frequent and stronger frontal systems crossing Ireland, bringing higher mean wind speeds and more pronounced gusts.

Which wind direction typically brings the strongest gusts to Mountrath?

The dominant wind direction for County Laois is from the south-west. Therefore, winds from the south-west are generally associated with the strongest gusts in Mountrath, as these are the prevailing winds influenced by Atlantic weather systems.

Where can I find the nearest measured wind data for Mountrath?

The nearest official observing stations for measured wind data are Gurteen, approximately 36 km away, Oak Park at about 40 km, and Mullingar, which is around 61 km from Mountrath. These stations provide local measurements that can indicate regional wind patterns.

Go deeper

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

Measurement · how the environment affects wind dataSiting and exposure: why location changes the readingWind measurements are highly sensitive to their immediate surroundings. Obstacles, terrain, and proximity to the coast all influence observed wind speeds and directions, making careful siting crucial for representative data. The instrument accounts for these factors in its data presentation.Read Fundamentals · where the ground meets the windFriction and the atmospheric boundary layerThe atmospheric boundary layer is the lowest part of the atmosphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface. Within this layer, friction slows and turns the wind, creating shear and turbulence that are critical for surface operations.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

Forecast: modelled wind from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0, underlying ICON, GFS and ECMWF model data), not a measurement at a site. Observation: airport METAR or buoy via aviationweather.gov and NDBC where one reports within 90 km. Heights are metres above ground. Missing values are UNKNOWN and never filled with zero. Last built 13:13 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.