Wind forecast Portlaoise today

Wind in Portlaoise right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Portlaoise

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 8 and 21 km/h (5 to 13 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 42 km/h (26 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 46 km/h (29 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 30 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 Portlaoise

Portlaoise, or Port Laoise, is located inland in County Laois, approximately 80 km from the coast. As with much of Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. While inland locations generally experience less wind than coastal areas, Portlaoise can still see significant wind activity. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger frontal systems. County Laois experiences a mean 10-metre wind speed roughly between 3.5 and 5.5 metres per second, with higher speeds possible in more exposed areas. The wind in Portlaoise plays a role in local conditions, affecting everything from outdoor activities to agricultural operations.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Portlaoise largely mirrors that of County Laois, which is among the calmer regions during summer and autumn. The windiest conditions are typically observed in winter and early spring, when Atlantic depressions are more frequent and intense, bringing stronger winds across the country. While the county notes indicate that hills and open bogland elsewhere in Laois see the biggest gusts during these periods, Portlaoise, being inland, will also experience these stronger winds. Summer afternoons can occasionally see local thermal effects, such as a light sea breeze if conditions align, though its inland location means this is less pronounced than on the coast.

Exposure and shelter

Portlaoise is situated in an inland county, which generally offers more shelter from direct coastal exposure. However, the open plains and midland bogland noted for County Laois suggest that while there might be some local shelter from buildings within the town, the surrounding landscape can be relatively open. This can allow winds to travel across the terrain with less obstruction. Features like the Slieve Bloom Mountains, mentioned as gust hotspots elsewhere in the county, are not directly adjacent to Portlaoise but contribute to the overall wind climate of the region. The specific exposure within Portlaoise will vary depending on local topography and built structures, with areas surrounded by buildings offering more shelter than open spaces.

Local uses of the wind forecast

The wind forecast is valuable for several sectors in Portlaoise and County Laois. For agriculture, a key sector, wind speed and direction are critical for activities such as spraying and silage timing. The festivals and events sector, including major gatherings like the Ratheniska Ploughing Championships and Electric Picnic at Stradbally Hall, relies on accurate wind information for planning and operational management. Building and roofing work also depends on wind data to ensure operational integrity. For general outdoor activities like walking or GAA matches, understanding wind conditions helps in planning and preparation. The logistics sector, also prominent in the county, considers wind for transport and outdoor storage.

Near Portlaoise

Portlaoise is in Co. Laois, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (32 km), Gurteen (48 km) and Mullingar (56 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 28 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Portlaoise

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