― WIND · CO. KILDARE

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

WIND AT 10 M18 km/h11 mphfrom the SW (225°)
GUST AT 10 M34 km/h21 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M29 km/h18 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M31 km/h19 mphupper rotor height

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

Meteogram Rathangan
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Rathangan…

The next days at Rathangan: speed, gust and direction.

Wind rose Rathangan
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Rathangan…

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.

TimeFromWind km/hGust km/h80 m km/h
Sun 14:00 SW1912 mph3723 mph3220 mph
Sun 15:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Sun 16:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph2717 mph
Sun 17:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Sun 18:00 SW159 mph2918 mph2817 mph
Sun 19:00 SW1610 mph3019 mph3019 mph
Sun 20:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Sun 21:00 SSW1711 mph3119 mph3119 mph
Sun 22:00 SW1811 mph3321 mph3321 mph
Sun 23:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 00:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph3019 mph
Mon 01:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 02:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 03:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 06:00 SW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 07:00 SSW1811 mph3421 mph3220 mph
Mon 08:00 SSW1711 mph3220 mph3119 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1912 mph3522 mph3321 mph
Mon 10:00 SW138 mph2516 mph2415 mph
Mon 11:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Mon 12:00 WSW2214 mph4025 mph3723 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW1912 mph3622 mph3220 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW1711 mph3220 mph2817 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW1610 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Mon 17:00 SW149 mph2616 mph2314 mph
Mon 18:00 SW127 mph2314 mph2314 mph
Mon 19:00 SW106 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Mon 20:00 SW127 mph2214 mph2314 mph
Mon 21:00 SW96 mph1811 mph2012 mph
Mon 22:00 SW85 mph149 mph1610 mph
Mon 23:00 SSW85 mph159 mph1912 mph
Tue 00:00 SSW96 mph1811 mph1912 mph
Tue 01:00 SSW85 mph149 mph1711 mph
Tue 02:00 SSW96 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Tue 03:00 SSW96 mph1811 mph1912 mph
Tue 04:00 SSW96 mph1711 mph1811 mph
Tue 05:00 W42 mph1610 mph117 mph
Tue 06:00 NNE138 mph2415 mph2012 mph
Tue 07:00 NNE149 mph2616 mph2314 mph
Tue 08:00 NNE159 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Tue 09:00 NNE149 mph2616 mph2415 mph
Tue 10:00 NE117 mph2113 mph1912 mph
Tue 11:00 N117 mph2214 mph1811 mph
Tue 12:00 N117 mph2113 mph1711 mph
Tue 13:00 N127 mph2214 mph1912 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.

DayMax gust km/hMax wind km/hMostly from
Sun 4/103723 mph1912 mph SSW
Mon 5/104025 mph2214 mph SW
Tue 6/102817 mph159 mph N
Wed 7/103924 mph2113 mph NW
Thu 8/103220 mph1811 mph SW
Fri 9/104629 mph2516 mph WSW
Sat 10/104327 mph2314 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.

Measurement · how the environment affects wind dataSiting and exposure: why location changes the readingWind measurements are highly sensitive to their immediate surroundings. Obstacles, terrain, and proximity to the coast all influence observed wind speeds and directions, making careful siting crucial for representative data. The instrument accounts for these factors in its data presentation.Read Fundamentals · where the ground meets the windFriction and the atmospheric boundary layerThe atmospheric boundary layer is the lowest part of the atmosphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface. Within this layer, friction slows and turns the wind, creating shear and turbulence that are critical for surface operations.Read Fundamentals · the physics behind every numberHow wind works: pressure, rotation, friction and heightWind is air moving from high to low pressure, bent by the Earth's rotation, slowed and roughened by the ground, and different at every height. Each of those four facts shows up in the numbers you read on the instrument.Read Reading our instruments · the ratio of gust to mean windGust factor: how much stronger are the gusts?The gust factor quantifies the relationship between the peak wind speed (gust) and the average wind speed (mean). It is a critical metric for understanding the true forces acting on structures and equipment, as gusts often dictate operational limits and safety margins. This article explores its typical ranges,…Read Forecasting & models · understanding the hourly traceReading a meteogram: your hourly forecast at a glanceA meteogram displays an hourly forecast of key weather parameters for a specific location, typically including wind speed, gust, direction, pressure, and precipitation. Understanding its components allows for a quick assessment of upcoming conditions and potential changes.Read

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.