Wind forecast Sligo today

Wind in Sligo right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Sligo

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 1 and 18 km/h (1 to 11 mph), mostly from the SSW. The strongest gust is 37 km/h (23 mph) at Sun 15:00. 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 Sat 10/10 with gusts to 58 km/h (36 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 29 km/h (18 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Sligo

Sligo, or Sligeach, experiences a wind climate influenced by its coastal location and proximity to the Atlantic. The Wind Agent provides precise measurements for Sligo, showing current conditions, a 48-hour table, and 7-day gust data. Wind speeds generally increase with height, meaning conditions at 80m or 120m can be significantly stronger than at the standard 10m measurement height. Gusts, which are short, sudden increases in wind speed, will exceed the mean wind speed. The county's dominant wind direction is from the southwest, a common pattern across Ireland due to the prevailing westerlies and Atlantic depressions. Coastal areas in County Sligo generally experience higher mean wind speeds, approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, which typically decrease a few kilometres inland.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Sligo aligns with the broader Irish climate. The strongest and gustiest conditions are typically observed from November to February, driven by active Atlantic depressions. During these months, coastal stations and offshore buoys can provide an early indication of approaching fronts, often several hours before they impact inland areas. Conversely, the lightest wind conditions generally occur from June to August. However, during these summer months, coastal areas may still experience a noticeable increase in wind during the afternoons due to the development of sea breezes. This diurnal pattern can lead to localised increases in wind speed near the coast, even on otherwise calm days.

Exposure and shelter

Sligo's coastal position means it is exposed to Atlantic winds. While the town itself is approximately 1 km from the coast, its direct exposure will depend on local topography and the immediate coastline orientation. Coasts are generally windier than inland areas. Shelter can be found in the lee of hills or substantial buildings, where wind speeds are reduced. Conversely, funnelling effects can occur in valleys or between structures, potentially increasing wind speed and gustiness. Elsewhere in the county, areas like Strandhill face the open Atlantic, leading to higher exposure. The general county-level coastal mean wind speed is approximately 6.5-8.5 m/s, decreasing inland to about 5-7 m/s.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Precise wind information is valuable for several sectors in Sligo. For tourism, particularly surf and golf, understanding wind direction and strength is essential for planning activities. The agriculture sector benefits from wind data for tasks such as spraying and silage timing, where specific wind conditions are optimal. Building and roofing work also requires consideration of wind strength for operational safety and material handling. Sea users in Sligo Harbour and on Lough Gill rely on accurate wind information for navigation and activity planning. Additionally, the aviation sector at Sligo Airport (EISG) near Strandhill relies on accurate wind information for flight operations.

Near Sligo

Sligo is in Co. Sligo, one of 7 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Sligo Airport EISG (METAR) (9 km), Markree (10 km) and Finner (29 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Garvagh Glebe Wind Farm, about 29 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Sligo

Go deeper

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