Wind forecast Portarlington today

Wind in Portarlington right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Portarlington

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 24 km/h (5 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 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 49 km/h (30 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 27 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Portarlington

Portarlington, or Cúil an tSúdaire, is situated in County Laois, an inland county approximately 68 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are typical of an inland location in Ireland, generally less exposed than coastal areas. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west and southwest, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and its depressions. Gusts will always exceed the mean wind speed, and this difference can be more pronounced in open areas. County Laois experiences an approximate mean 10-metre wind speed of 3.5-5.5 m/s, with higher speeds possible on more exposed terrain elsewhere in the county. The nearest wind farm is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 13 km away, which indicates the presence of suitable wind resources in the wider area for energy generation.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind patterns in Portarlington reflect those of County Laois, with the calmest conditions generally occurring in summer and autumn. The windiest periods are typically observed in winter and early spring, as frontal systems from the Atlantic frequently cross the country. While the county as a whole is inland, the exposure can vary, with open plains and midland bog areas experiencing stronger winds. The impact of these seasonal variations on wind strength and direction is a factor in local activities and conditions throughout the year. The general trend of stronger winds in the cooler months is consistent with Ireland's temperate maritime climate.

Exposure and shelter

As an inland town, Portarlington's wind exposure is influenced by local topography and surrounding structures. While the county has open plains and midland bog, the immediate surroundings of the town will determine specific exposure. Buildings and other structures can provide shelter, reducing wind speeds at ground level in their lee. Conversely, open areas within and around the town will experience more direct wind flow. Unlike coastal locations, Portarlington does not experience sea breezes. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest. This means that features offering shelter to the southwest of the town may reduce wind impact, while areas open to this direction may experience higher wind speeds.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are relevant for several sectors in and around Portarlington. For agriculture, which is a key sector in County Laois, wind speed and direction are important for activities such as spraying and silage timing. Strong winds can disrupt these operations. The festivals and events sector, including those at nearby Stradbally Hall and Ratheniska, benefits from wind information for planning outdoor setups and ensuring comfort. Manufacturing and logistics, also present in the county, may consider wind conditions for certain operations, particularly those involving outdoor work or transportation of goods. General activities like walking and sports on GAA pitches are also influenced by wind conditions, with stronger winds potentially affecting comfort and play.

Near Portarlington

Portarlington is in Co. Laois, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (38 km), Mullingar (43 km) and Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (51 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 13 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Portarlington

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