Wind forecast Oughterard today

Wind in Oughterard right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Oughterard

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 6 and 26 km/h (4 to 16 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 48 km/h (30 mph) at Mon 13:00. 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 55 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 24 km/h (15 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Oughterard

Oughterard, situated in County Kildare, experiences wind patterns typical of an inland location in Leinster. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. While the county's mean 10 m wind speed is approximately 3.5-5.5 m/s, gusts will always exceed this mean, particularly during frontal passages. As an inland area, Oughterard is generally less exposed than coastal locations, but the low-lying plains of Kildare offer limited natural shelter. Wind conditions here are largely shaped by the broader atmospheric flows, with local terrain playing a role in how these winds are felt at ground level.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Oughterard aligns with the general climate of County Kildare. The windiest periods typically occur in winter and early spring, when Atlantic depressions are more frequent and intense, bringing stronger winds and gusts. Conversely, summer and autumn are generally calmer. During summer afternoons, local thermal effects can sometimes generate lighter, localised breezes. The county notes indicate that Kildare is among the calmest regions in summer and autumn. Stronger gusts are more common in winter, particularly as frontal systems cross the country.

Exposure and shelter

Oughterard is located in an inland county characterised by low-lying plains, including the Curragh. This open landscape provides limited natural shelter from the wind. While urban areas and tree lines can offer localised shelter, the general exposure is significant for an inland location. The county's open farmland and the Curragh plain are noted as producing unobstructed gusts, especially in winter. This means that while Oughterard is not coastal, the absence of major topographical features nearby can allow winds to be felt quite openly across the area. Wind chill can be a factor, particularly in exposed areas during colder periods.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in and around Oughterard. For agriculture, wind speed and direction are critical for timing spraying operations and silage cutting. The county's strong tradition in horse racing and breeding means wind conditions can affect training and events. Building and roofing work requires wind data for planning and operational safety. For those involved in logistics or aviation, such as at nearby Weston Airport EIWT, precise wind forecasts are essential for operational planning. Golf courses like The K Club and Carton House Golf Club also consider wind for course conditions and play.

Near Oughterard

Oughterard is in Co. Kildare, one of 22 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Casement (9 km), Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (10 km) and Phoenix Park (17 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 45 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Oughterard

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