― WIND · CO. WICKLOW

Wind forecast Rathdrum today

Now 19 km/h WSW, gusts 36 km/h (12 mph, gusts 22 mph) at Rathdrum (Ráth Droma), Co. Wicklow. 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 Rathdrum right now

WIND AT 10 M19 km/h12 mphfrom the WSW (243°)
GUST AT 10 M36 km/h22 mphhighest short burst the model expects this hour
WIND AT 80 M31 km/h19 mphtypical turbine hub height range
WIND AT 120 M33 km/h21 mphupper rotor height

WINDIEST HOUR TODAY15:00: 19 km/h (12 mph) from the WSW, gusting 37 km/h (23 mph).

NEAREST STATION OBSERVATIONCasement Airport (EIME, 44 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 Rathdrum

Meteogram Rathdrum
CHART LOADINGmeteogramReading Rathdrum…

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

Wind rose Rathdrum
CHART LOADINGwind_roseReading Rathdrum…

How often the wind blows from each direction at Rathdrum, 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 WSW. The strongest gust is 43 km/h (27 mph) at Mon 15:00. 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 WSW1811 mph3522 mph3019 mph
Sun 15:00 WSW1912 mph3723 mph3220 mph
Sun 16:00 WSW1811 mph3421 mph2918 mph
Sun 17:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Sun 18:00 SW138 mph2616 mph2415 mph
Sun 19:00 SW127 mph2516 mph2516 mph
Sun 20:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Sun 21:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Sun 22:00 SW138 mph2717 mph2616 mph
Sun 23:00 SW159 mph2918 mph2817 mph
Mon 00:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Mon 01:00 SW149 mph2717 mph2516 mph
Mon 02:00 WSW149 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 03:00 SW149 mph2817 mph2717 mph
Mon 04:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Mon 05:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Mon 06:00 SW159 mph2918 mph2717 mph
Mon 07:00 SW1610 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Mon 08:00 SW1610 mph3220 mph2918 mph
Mon 09:00 SW1811 mph3522 mph3119 mph
Mon 10:00 SW1811 mph3622 mph3119 mph
Mon 11:00 WSW2012 mph3824 mph3321 mph
Mon 12:00 SW1711 mph3119 mph2817 mph
Mon 13:00 WSW2113 mph4025 mph3421 mph
Mon 14:00 WSW2113 mph4125 mph3522 mph
Mon 15:00 WSW2214 mph4327 mph3723 mph
Mon 16:00 WSW2012 mph3824 mph3220 mph
Mon 17:00 WSW149 mph2817 mph2516 mph
Mon 18:00 WSW138 mph2616 mph2415 mph
Mon 19:00 WSW85 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 20:00 WSW85 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Mon 21:00 W106 mph2012 mph2214 mph
Mon 22:00 WSW106 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Mon 23:00 WSW106 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Tue 00:00 WSW106 mph2012 mph2012 mph
Tue 01:00 WSW96 mph1811 mph2012 mph
Tue 02:00 WSW96 mph1912 mph2012 mph
Tue 03:00 W74 mph1610 mph1912 mph
Tue 04:00 WSW85 mph1711 mph1912 mph
Tue 05:00 WSW85 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Tue 06:00 SW96 mph2012 mph2113 mph
Tue 07:00 WSW85 mph1610 mph1811 mph
Tue 08:00 W42 mph96 mph117 mph
Tue 09:00 E64 mph127 mph53 mph
Tue 10:00 NE106 mph2113 mph1811 mph
Tue 11:00 NNE96 mph2113 mph1711 mph
Tue 12:00 NNE127 mph2616 mph2012 mph
Tue 13:00 NNE106 mph2314 mph1912 mph

Seven-day gust outlook

The windiest day of the week is Fri 9/10 with gusts to 54 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 32 km/h (20 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 SW
Mon 5/104327 mph2214 mph WSW
Tue 6/103220 mph1711 mph NNW
Wed 7/104025 mph2314 mph WNW
Thu 8/103522 mph2113 mph W
Fri 9/105434 mph3119 mph WSW
Sat 10/103924 mph2214 mph W

What the wind does in Rathdrum

Rathdrum (Ráth Droma) is located in County Wicklow, approximately 12 km from the coast. As an inland town, it experiences wind patterns influenced by its position within the county. Wicklow's wind climate typically sees coastal mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 4.5-6 m/s, while inland areas like Rathdrum are closer to 3.5-5 m/s. Gusts are a common feature of the wind, often exceeding the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger winds. Winter generally brings westerly gales across Ireland, and while the east coast offers some shelter, Rathdrum will still feel the effects of these systems. The Wind Agent provides current wind speeds, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust forecasts to help understand these patterns.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Rathdrum generally follows that of County Wicklow. Winter is typically the windiest season, characterised by strong westerly winds associated with Atlantic depressions. While the east coast of Ireland receives some shelter from these prevailing westerlies, Rathdrum, being inland, will still experience their strength. Spring can bring easterly winds, which are a distinctive feature of the Irish Sea. Summer afternoons near the coast can experience a sea breeze, which may add 2-4 m/s to the wind speed and shift the wind direction onshore. However, Rathdrum's inland location means this effect is likely to be less pronounced than directly on the coastline. Autumn sees a return to more unsettled conditions.

Exposure and shelter

Rathdrum is situated inland in County Wicklow, approximately 12 km from the coast. Its exposure to wind is influenced by the surrounding terrain. While the county includes the Wicklow Mountains inland, Rathdrum itself is not directly in a high-exposure mountainous area. Shelter from wind can be provided by local topography, such as hills or valleys, and by structures like buildings or trees. Wind speeds can vary significantly over short distances due to these local effects. General principles apply: wind speeds tend to be lower in sheltered locations and higher in more exposed areas. The Wind Agent's data reflects the wind conditions at a standard height, but local conditions at ground level can differ.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts for Rathdrum are valuable for several local activities. For agriculture, understanding wind speed and direction is crucial for timing spraying operations, managing livestock, and planning silage. Forestry operations in the county also benefit from accurate wind data. Building and roofing work requires knowledge of wind conditions for safety and material handling. For those involved in tourism or outdoor recreation such as walking, wind information helps in planning activities and assessing comfort levels. Golfers at nearby courses like The European Club or Woodenbridge Golf Club can use wind data to anticipate playing conditions. The nearest wind farm, Raheenleagh Wind Farm, also relies on wind data for energy generation.

Near Rathdrum

Rathdrum is in Co. Wicklow, one of 14 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Casement (44 km), Oak Park (47 km) and Phoenix Park (48 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Raheenleagh Wind Farm, about 16 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Rathdrum

When is Rathdrum typically windiest?

Rathdrum, like much of Ireland, generally experiences its strongest winds during the winter months. These are often associated with westerly gales from Atlantic depressions. While the east coast offers some shelter, inland areas still feel these stronger winds.

Which wind direction brings the strongest gusts to Rathdrum?

Strongest gusts in Rathdrum are typically associated with westerly winds, which are the prevailing strong winds across Ireland, particularly during winter. However, local topography can funnel or accelerate winds from other directions, leading to localised strong gusts.

Where can I get the nearest official wind measurement for Rathdrum?

The nearest official observing stations to Rathdrum are Casement (~44 km), Oak Park (~47 km), and Phoenix Park (~48 km). These stations provide measured data, which can give a general indication of regional wind patterns, though local conditions in Rathdrum may differ.

Go deeper

Set your own limit and watch the odds at the live instrument for Rathdrum, 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 14:30 Irish time. Your threshold, your procedure, your call.