Wind forecast Rathfriland today

Wind in Rathfriland right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Rathfriland

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 24 km/h (2 to 15 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 45 km/h (28 mph) at Mon 11:00. 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 53 km/h (33 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 20 km/h (12 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Rathfriland

Rathfriland, or Ráth Fraoileann, is located in County Down, approximately 17 km from the coast. As an inland location, it typically experiences less wind than coastal areas of the county. The prevailing wind direction for County Down is south-westerly, a pattern that influences Rathfriland. Wind speeds inland in County Down are generally lower than on the coast, with approximate mean 10 m wind speeds of 4-5.5 m/s. Gusts are a common feature of wind in Ireland, and will exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger wind. Winter south-westerlies and north-westerlies are often associated with the strongest winds across the county.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Rathfriland generally follows that of County Down and wider Ireland. Strongest winds are typically observed during the winter months, from October to March, when Atlantic depressions are more frequent and intense. These systems often bring strong south-westerly and north-westerly winds. Summer months, from April to September, tend to be calmer, though occasional stronger winds can still occur. During warm, settled summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect may develop near the coast, but this is less pronounced 17 km inland in Rathfriland. The county's coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching weather fronts, often leading inland conditions by several hours.

Exposure and shelter

Rathfriland's inland location means it benefits from some shelter compared to the more exposed coastal areas of County Down. However, the specific local topography will influence wind patterns within the town. Buildings and local terrain can create both shelter and funnelling effects. While the county notes strong funnelled easterlies and westerly gusts in specific areas like the Mourne passes and the Ards peninsula, these are county-level observations. Within Rathfriland itself, local structures will modify the wind. Wind speeds are generally higher at greater heights, so wind at 10 m will be stronger than at ground level, and significantly stronger at 80 m or 120 m.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are important for several sectors in and around Rathfriland. For the agri-food sector, wind strength and direction are critical for activities such as crop spraying, ensuring precise application and minimising drift, and for timing silage cutting. Building and roofing work requires an understanding of wind conditions for safety and material handling. For those involved in walking or other outdoor activities, wind forecasts are essential for planning, as wind chill can significantly impact perceived temperature. While Rathfriland is inland, the county's tourism sector benefits from wind information, particularly for activities elsewhere in the county such as sailing and marine leisure on the coast.

Near Rathfriland

Rathfriland is in Co. Down, one of 37 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are George Best Belfast City Airport EGAC (METAR) (45 km), Belfast International Airport EGAA (METAR) (45 km) and Ballyhaise (78 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Bessy Bell Wind Farm, about 86 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Rathfriland

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