Wind forecast Shannon today

Wind in Shannon right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Shannon

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 7 and 20 km/h (4 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 38 km/h (24 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 49 km/h (30 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 Shannon

Shannon, or An tSionna, is situated in County Clare, a coastal county with significant Atlantic exposure. The prevailing wind direction in County Clare is from the southwest. Wind speeds typically increase with height, so wind measured at 10 metres will be lower than at 80 metres or 120 metres. Gusts are transient increases in wind speed that can significantly exceed the mean wind speed. For coastal areas in County Clare, the mean 10-metre wind speed is approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, reducing to about 5-7 m/s a few kilometres inland. Shannon is located approximately 1 km from the coast, suggesting it experiences wind conditions closer to the coastal mean. Strongest winds and gusts are generally observed from November to February due to Atlantic depressions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Shannon follows the general Irish trend, with the strongest and gustiest conditions occurring between November and February. This is primarily due to the increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic depressions during these months. Conversely, the period from June to August typically experiences the lightest winds. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze effect can develop along the coast, leading to a temporary increase in wind speed. As Shannon is a coastal town, it can be influenced by such phenomena. Coastal observing stations and offshore buoys often register approaching weather fronts several hours before inland locations, providing an early indication of changing wind conditions for the Shannon area.

Exposure and shelter

Shannon's coastal location means it is generally exposed to winds, particularly from the prevailing southwesterly direction common to County Clare. While the town is 1 km from the coast, its proximity means it will experience more exposed conditions than areas further inland. Wind speeds can be influenced by local topography and structures, with buildings providing shelter in their lee, while open areas offer less obstruction. Elsewhere in County Clare, features like the Shannon estuary can channel winds, potentially influencing local wind patterns. The general principle is that coastal areas are windier than inland areas, and this holds true for Shannon compared to more sheltered inland parts of County Clare.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are relevant for several sectors in Shannon. For aviation, particularly at Shannon Airport, precise wind data is critical for flight operations, including take-offs and landings. The tourism sector, including surf and watersports, relies on wind information for planning activities and assessing conditions. Agriculture benefits from wind forecasts for tasks such as spraying and timing silage, where specific wind conditions are necessary. Wind energy projects, such as the Tournafulla Wind Farm, depend on consistent wind for power generation. Additionally, general activities like building and roofing, or simply walking, are influenced by wind strength and direction, with stronger winds potentially increasing wind chill.

Near Shannon

Shannon is in Co. Clare, one of 9 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Shannon Airport (4 km), Shannon Airport EINN (METAR) (4 km) and Athenry (65 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Tournafulla Wind Farm, about 39 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Shannon

Go deeper

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