Wind forecast Waterford today

Wind in Waterford right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Waterford

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 3 and 19 km/h (2 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 39 km/h (24 mph) at Mon 14:00. 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 46 km/h (29 mph). The calmest is Thu 8/10, 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 Waterford

Waterford, or Port Láirge, is situated approximately 8 km inland from the coast. Wind patterns here are influenced by its proximity to the south-east coast of Ireland and the Comeragh and Monavullagh uplands further inland. County Waterford generally experiences coastal mean 10 m wind speeds of roughly 5.5-7.5 m/s, with inland areas, such as Waterford, typically seeing speeds closer to 4.5-6 m/s. Gusts will exceed the mean wind speed. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the westerly quarter, with Atlantic depressions frequently influencing conditions. While not directly on the coast, the wind in Waterford can be affected by coastal phenomena and the topography of the wider county.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Waterford generally follows that of County Waterford. Winter typically brings stronger winds, with gales being more common. Spring often sees a dominance of southwesterly winds. During summer, winds tend to be lighter. On summer afternoons, a sea breeze can develop along the south coast of County Waterford, which can increase wind speeds by 2-4 m/s near the coast and shift the wind direction to onshore. This effect may extend inland to Waterford, though diminished with distance from the coast. The overall pattern is one of stronger winds in the cooler months and lighter conditions in summer.

Exposure and shelter

Waterford's location 8 km inland provides some shelter compared to exposed coastal areas. However, the city is still subject to regional wind patterns. While the Comeragh summits elsewhere in the county are known for strong gusts, Waterford's urban environment can create localised variations in wind flow. Buildings can provide shelter, reducing wind speeds in their immediate lee, but they can also channel or funnel wind, potentially increasing speeds in narrow passages. The general exposure is moderate, influenced by both the broader atmospheric conditions and local urban topography. Wind chill can be a factor in colder, windier conditions.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Accurate wind information is valuable for various activities in Waterford. In the pharma and manufacturing sectors, wind data can be critical for managing emissions and ensuring operational efficiency. For the port, wind direction and strength are essential for navigation, berthing, and cargo handling. The agri-food sector relies on wind forecasts for tasks such as spraying and silage timing. Golf courses in the area use wind data to inform course conditions. General building and roofing work, as well as outdoor activities like walking, also benefit from understanding current and projected wind conditions, particularly regarding gust strength.

Near Waterford

Waterford is in Co. Waterford, one of 6 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Waterford Airport EIWF (METAR) (8 km), Johnstown Castle (42 km) and Oak Park (68 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Woodhouse Wind Farm, about 44 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Waterford

Go deeper

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