Wind forecast Newcastle West today

Wind in Newcastle West right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Newcastle West

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 20 km/h (3 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 39 km/h (24 mph) at Sun 16:00. 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 Mon 5/10, 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.

What the wind does in Newcastle West

Newcastle West, or An Caisleán Nua, is situated inland in County Limerick. The wind patterns here are influenced by its remove from the coast, approximately 19 km. While coastal areas generally experience stronger winds, inland locations like Newcastle West typically see somewhat reduced speeds. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed at any given time. The prevailing wind direction in County Limerick is from the southwest, a common characteristic across much of Ireland due to Atlantic weather systems. These systems frequently bring westerly and southwesterly winds, particularly during the cooler months. The topography of the Golden Vale to the south and the Ballyhoura hills further inland will influence local wind flow.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Newcastle West generally follows that of County Limerick. Winter typically brings stronger winds, including gales, associated with Atlantic depressions. Spring often sees a prevalence of southwesterly winds. As summer approaches, the wind tends to be lighter. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can sometimes be observed in coastal areas, but this is less pronounced inland at Newcastle West. The county's wind climate notes indicate coastal mean 10 m wind speeds are roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas like Newcastle West typically experiencing nearer 4.5-6 m/s, though these are approximate county-level figures. Gusts will be a feature throughout the year, particularly with stronger mean winds.

Exposure and shelter

Newcastle West's inland location means it is generally more sheltered than coastal parts of County Limerick. The town is not coastal, being 19 km from the nearest coastline. While the county notes mention the Shannon estuary funnelling westerlies and hill sites elsewhere in the county seeing stronger gusts, these specific features are not directly adjacent to Newcastle West. Local terrain, including buildings and any localised rises or dips in the land, will create areas of both shelter and increased exposure within the town itself. Wind speeds can vary significantly over short distances due to these microclimates. The general principle is that higher elevations or open areas will be more exposed, while areas in the lee of substantial structures or terrain features will experience some shelter.

Local uses of the wind forecast

For agriculture in and around Newcastle West, wind forecasts are important for activities such as spraying and silage timing, where specific wind conditions are needed for effective and efficient operations. Building and roofing work in the town also relies on understanding wind strength and direction for planning and safety. For general farming, wind can influence crop protection and livestock management. While not coastal, the county's economy includes port activities at Foynes, where wind is a critical factor for shipping. For local sports like GAA, wind conditions can affect play. The nearest wind farm is Tournafulla Wind Farm, approximately 9 km away, highlighting the region's suitability for wind energy generation.

Near Newcastle West

Newcastle West is in Co. Limerick, one of 12 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Shannon Airport (28 km), Shannon Airport EINN (METAR) (30 km) and Kerry Airport EIKY (METAR) (43 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Tournafulla Wind Farm, about 9 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Newcastle West

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