Wind forecast Stradbally today

Wind in Stradbally right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Stradbally

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 23 km/h (3 to 14 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 44 km/h (27 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 50 km/h (31 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 27 km/h (17 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Stradbally

Stradbally, or An Sráidbhaile, is an inland town in County Laois, approximately 72 km from the coast. As with much of Ireland, the prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, influenced by Atlantic weather systems. Wind speeds generally increase with height, so readings at 80 m or 120 m for wind energy applications will typically be higher than those at the standard 10 m measurement height. Gusts, which are sudden, brief increases in wind speed, will always exceed the mean wind speed. The county experiences a mean 10 m wind roughly between 3.5-5.5 m/s, with higher values on exposed hills. While Stradbally itself is not coastal, the general pattern of stronger winds in winter and early spring, and calmer conditions in summer and autumn, holds true here.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Stradbally generally follows that of County Laois, with the calmest conditions typically occurring in summer and autumn. The windiest periods are usually observed in winter and early spring, when frontal systems from the Atlantic frequently cross Ireland. During these times, stronger gusts are more common. While sea breezes can influence coastal areas in summer, Stradbally's inland location means this effect is not a significant factor here. The overall wind climate is typical of the Irish midlands, with variations driven by large-scale weather patterns rather than local coastal influences.

Exposure and shelter

Stradbally is situated in an inland county, approximately 72 km from the coast. This distance generally provides more shelter compared to coastal locations. However, the town is within a county described as having open plains and midland bog, which can offer less natural shelter from the wind. The sites for the Electric Picnic at Stradbally Hall and the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska are noted as being exposed. Terrain features such as buildings or local undulations can create localised shelter or funnelling effects, altering the wind flow at ground level. Generally, wind speeds will be lower in built-up areas or directly in the lee of significant obstructions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for several activities in Stradbally. For the agriculture sector, wind forecasts are crucial for timing spraying operations, managing silage, and planning other field work, as strong winds can lead to drift or make tasks difficult. The numerous festivals and events, such as the Electric Picnic, rely on wind data for planning temporary structures, managing crowd safety, and ensuring comfort. For manufacturing and logistics, understanding wind conditions can impact the movement of goods and the stability of outdoor operations. Building and roofing work also benefits from wind forecasts, particularly when working at height. Additionally, those participating in outdoor activities like walking can use wind information to prepare for wind chill and changing conditions.

Near Stradbally

Stradbally is in Co. Laois, one of 8 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Oak Park (23 km), Gurteen (57 km) and Casement (58 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Mountlucas Wind Farm, about 30 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Stradbally

Go deeper

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