Wind forecast Rathangan today
Now 18 km/h SW, gusts 34 km/h (11 mph, gusts 21 mph) at Rathangan (Ráth Iomgháin), Co. Kildare. That is Beaufort force 3, a gentle breeze, and the wind is steady over the next six hours. Modelled for Sun 14:30 Irish time.
Wind in Rathangan right now
WINDIEST HOUR TODAY14:00: 19 km/h (12 mph) from the SW, gusting 37 km/h (23 mph).
NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 38 km away): 20 km/h (12 mph) from the SW. Measured at 14:00, 31 minutes old when this page was built.
Meteogram and wind rose for Rathangan
The next days at Rathangan: speed, gust and direction.
How often the wind blows from each direction at Rathangan, from reanalysis.
Next 48 hours, hour by hour
Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 4 and 22 km/h (2 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 40 km/h (25 mph) at Mon 12:00. Speeds are in km/h with miles per hour underneath. Direction is where the wind comes from.
| Time | From | Wind km/h | Gust km/h | 80 m km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 14:00 | SW | 1912 mph | 3723 mph | 3220 mph |
| Sun 15:00 | SW | 1610 mph | 3019 mph | 2717 mph |
| Sun 16:00 | SW | 1610 mph | 3019 mph | 2717 mph |
| Sun 17:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 2918 mph |
| Sun 18:00 | SW | 159 mph | 2918 mph | 2817 mph |
| Sun 19:00 | SW | 1610 mph | 3019 mph | 3019 mph |
| Sun 20:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3119 mph | 3019 mph |
| Sun 21:00 | SSW | 1711 mph | 3119 mph | 3119 mph |
| Sun 22:00 | SW | 1811 mph | 3321 mph | 3321 mph |
| Sun 23:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 3119 mph |
| Mon 00:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3119 mph | 3019 mph |
| Mon 01:00 | SW | 1811 mph | 3421 mph | 3220 mph |
| Mon 02:00 | SW | 1811 mph | 3522 mph | 3321 mph |
| Mon 03:00 | SW | 1811 mph | 3522 mph | 3321 mph |
| Mon 04:00 | SW | 1811 mph | 3421 mph | 3220 mph |
| Mon 05:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 3119 mph |
| Mon 06:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 3119 mph |
| Mon 07:00 | SSW | 1811 mph | 3421 mph | 3220 mph |
| Mon 08:00 | SSW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 3119 mph |
| Mon 09:00 | SW | 1912 mph | 3522 mph | 3321 mph |
| Mon 10:00 | SW | 138 mph | 2516 mph | 2415 mph |
| Mon 11:00 | SW | 1711 mph | 3119 mph | 2817 mph |
| Mon 12:00 | WSW | 2214 mph | 4025 mph | 3723 mph |
| Mon 13:00 | WSW | 1912 mph | 3622 mph | 3220 mph |
| Mon 14:00 | WSW | 159 mph | 2817 mph | 2516 mph |
| Mon 15:00 | WSW | 1711 mph | 3220 mph | 2817 mph |
| Mon 16:00 | WSW | 1610 mph | 2817 mph | 2516 mph |
| Mon 17:00 | SW | 149 mph | 2616 mph | 2314 mph |
| Mon 18:00 | SW | 127 mph | 2314 mph | 2314 mph |
| Mon 19:00 | SW | 106 mph | 2012 mph | 2113 mph |
| Mon 20:00 | SW | 127 mph | 2214 mph | 2314 mph |
| Mon 21:00 | SW | 96 mph | 1811 mph | 2012 mph |
| Mon 22:00 | SW | 85 mph | 149 mph | 1610 mph |
| Mon 23:00 | SSW | 85 mph | 159 mph | 1912 mph |
| Tue 00:00 | SSW | 96 mph | 1811 mph | 1912 mph |
| Tue 01:00 | SSW | 85 mph | 149 mph | 1711 mph |
| Tue 02:00 | SSW | 96 mph | 1711 mph | 1912 mph |
| Tue 03:00 | SSW | 96 mph | 1811 mph | 1912 mph |
| Tue 04:00 | SSW | 96 mph | 1711 mph | 1811 mph |
| Tue 05:00 | W | 42 mph | 1610 mph | 117 mph |
| Tue 06:00 | NNE | 138 mph | 2415 mph | 2012 mph |
| Tue 07:00 | NNE | 149 mph | 2616 mph | 2314 mph |
| Tue 08:00 | NNE | 159 mph | 2817 mph | 2516 mph |
| Tue 09:00 | NNE | 149 mph | 2616 mph | 2415 mph |
| Tue 10:00 | NE | 117 mph | 2113 mph | 1912 mph |
| Tue 11:00 | N | 117 mph | 2214 mph | 1811 mph |
| Tue 12:00 | N | 117 mph | 2113 mph | 1711 mph |
| Tue 13:00 | N | 127 mph | 2214 mph | 1912 mph |
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 28 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.
| Day | Max gust km/h | Max wind km/h | Mostly from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 4/10 | 3723 mph | 1912 mph | SSW |
| Mon 5/10 | 4025 mph | 2214 mph | SW |
| Tue 6/10 | 2817 mph | 159 mph | N |
| Wed 7/10 | 3924 mph | 2113 mph | NW |
| Thu 8/10 | 3220 mph | 1811 mph | SW |
| Fri 9/10 | 4629 mph | 2516 mph | WSW |
| Sat 10/10 | 4327 mph | 2314 mph | W |
What the wind does in Rathangan
Rathangan, or Ráth Iomgháin, is situated in County Kildare, an inland county characterised by low-lying plains. The prevailing wind direction across Ireland is from the west or southwest, and this is reflected in the county's dominant wind direction. While Rathangan is 54 km from the coast, the county's open nature means there is limited shelter from these prevailing winds. Gusts are a common feature of wind in Ireland, typically exceeding the mean wind speed. The county's open farmland and areas like The Curragh plain can experience unobstructed gusts, particularly during winter. The windiest periods in this region generally occur in winter and early spring as Atlantic frontal systems pass over the country.
Seasonal pattern
The seasonal wind pattern in Rathangan largely follows that of County Kildare. The region experiences its calmest conditions during summer and autumn. Conversely, winter and early spring are typically the windiest seasons, as frontal systems frequently cross Ireland from the Atlantic. While the county's mean wind speed at 10 metres is roughly 3.5-5.5 m/s, higher values can be expected on more exposed areas. Gusts are more pronounced during these windier seasons. Although inland, a sea breeze can sometimes be observed in summer afternoons, though its influence diminishes with distance from the coast.
Exposure and shelter
Rathangan's location within County Kildare means it is part of a very open, low-lying plain with limited natural shelter. The county's wind climate notes indicate that it is an exposed area. While local buildings and terrain features will offer some immediate shelter in their lee, the broader landscape provides little to impede the dominant south-westerly winds. Areas of open farmland can allow for unobstructed wind flow, contributing to gust potential. The general principle that inland locations are less windy than coastal ones holds true, but the open nature of Kildare means Rathangan can still experience significant wind events, especially during stormy periods.
Local uses of the wind forecast
Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in and around Rathangan. For agriculture, which is a significant sector in Kildare, wind forecasts are crucial for planning spraying, silage operations, and managing livestock, where strong winds can cause stress or damage. Building and roofing work also relies on wind data for safety and operational planning. Given the county's strong connection to horse racing and breeding, understanding wind conditions is important for events at locations like The Curragh Racecourse. For general outdoor activities such as walking or local sports on GAA pitches, wind information helps individuals prepare for conditions like wind chill and gust strength.
Near Rathangan
Rathangan is in Co. Kildare, one of 22 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (37 km), Casement (38 km) and Dunsany (40 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 18 km away.
Nearest spots
Questions about wind in Rathangan
When is Rathangan typically windiest?
Rathangan generally experiences its windiest conditions during winter and early spring. This is when Atlantic frontal systems frequently cross Ireland, bringing stronger winds and more pronounced gusts to inland areas like County Kildare.
Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Rathangan?
The dominant wind direction in County Kildare is south-westerly. Strongest gusts are often associated with these prevailing winds, particularly when they are unimpeded across open farmland and plains, which are characteristic of the region.
Where can I find the nearest official wind measurements for Rathangan?
The nearest observing stations providing official wind measurements to Rathangan include Weston Airport EIWT, Casement, and Dunsany. These stations offer valuable data, though local conditions in Rathangan may vary slightly due to microclimates and immediate terrain.
Go deeper
Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Rathangan, or read how the numbers above are made.
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 14:31 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.