Wind forecast Skibbereen today

Wind in Skibbereen right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Skibbereen

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 1 and 20 km/h (1 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 37 km/h (23 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 57 km/h (35 mph). The calmest is Sun 4/10, gusts to 36 km/h (22 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Skibbereen

Skibbereen, or An Sciobairin, is located in County Cork, approximately 4 km from the coast. Wind conditions here are influenced by its inland position within a county known for its significant wind exposure. While coastal areas of Cork can experience mean 10 m wind speeds of 5.5-7.5 m/s, inland locations like Skibbereen typically see speeds closer to 4.5-6 m/s. Gusts will always exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of strong Atlantic depressions. The dominant wind direction across the county is southwesterly, which will frequently be felt in Skibbereen. Wind chill can make even moderate wind speeds feel colder, especially in winter. The precise wind data provided by The Wind Agent offers insight into these local conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Skibbereen generally follows that of County Cork. Winter months are characterised by frequent gales and strong winds, primarily driven by Atlantic depressions. Spring often sees a continuation of strong southwesterly winds. As summer approaches, the wind tends to be lighter overall. During summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop along the south coast, potentially adding 2-4 m/s to the wind speed and shifting the direction to onshore. This effect may be felt in Skibbereen, despite its inland location, though it will be less pronounced than directly on the coast. Autumn typically sees an increase in wind activity again as winter approaches.

Exposure and shelter

Skibbereen's exposure to wind is mitigated by its inland location, 4 km from the coast. While County Cork has a long coastline with areas of high exposure such as headlands, Skibbereen benefits from some shelter compared to these coastal sites. Local terrain, including buildings and any surrounding hills, can create both funnelling effects, which increase wind speed, and areas of shelter, where wind speeds are reduced. The general wind climate of County Cork indicates that inland areas are less exposed than the coast, but strong southwesterly winds, dominant in the county, will still be a significant factor. The 10 m, 80 m, and 120 m wind data provided by The Wind Agent can help understand these variations at different heights.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind information is valuable for several sectors in and around Skibbereen. For farming, wind data aids in planning activities like spraying and silage timing, ensuring optimal conditions. The local tourism sector, including activities around nearby Baltimore Harbour and Sherkin Island, benefits from understanding wind conditions for water-based activities. Building and roofing work requires accurate wind information for operational safety and material handling. For individuals involved in walking or other outdoor pursuits, knowing the wind speed and direction, along with potential wind chill, is important for comfort and planning. The wind energy sector, which is present in County Cork, also relies on detailed wind data for operational efficiency, with the nearest wind farm being Grousemount.

Near Skibbereen

Skibbereen is in Co. Cork, one of 32 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Sherkin Island (14 km), Cork Airport EICK (METAR) (63 km) and Cork Airport (63 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Grousemount Wind Farm, about 40 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Skibbereen

Go deeper

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