Wind forecast Wicklow today

Wind in Wicklow right now

Meteogram and wind rose for Wicklow

Next 48 hours, hour by hour

Mean wind through the next 48 hours runs between 5 and 20 km/h (3 to 12 mph), mostly from the SW. The strongest gust is 41 km/h (25 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 54 km/h (34 mph). The calmest is Tue 6/10, gusts to 33 km/h (21 mph). Later days are less certain than the first two: the further out, the more the models can disagree.

What the wind does in Wicklow

Wicklow, or Cill Mhantáin, is located on the Irish Sea coast, approximately 2 km from the shoreline. Wind conditions here are influenced by both its coastal proximity and the broader weather patterns affecting County Wicklow. The county experiences a mean 10 m wind speed roughly between 4.5 and 6 m/s along the coast, with slightly lower speeds inland. Gusts will typically exceed the mean wind speed, particularly during periods of stronger winds. The prevailing winds across Ireland are from the west, bringing with them Atlantic depressions, which can lead to significant wind events. The Wind Agent provides live wind data for Wicklow, alongside 48-hour tables and 7-day gust forecasts, to help understand these dynamic conditions.

Seasonal pattern

The seasonal wind pattern in Wicklow follows general Irish trends, with winter typically bringing stronger westerly gales. While the east coast, where Wicklow is situated, can be partly sheltered from these strong westerly winds, they remain a dominant feature of the colder months. Spring often sees the emergence of easterly winds, which are a distinctive pattern for the Irish Sea. During summer, a sea breeze effect is common on clear, warm afternoons. This sea breeze can add an additional 2-4 m/s to the wind speed near the coast and will typically turn the wind direction to an onshore flow. This phenomenon is a notable characteristic of coastal areas like Wicklow during the warmer season.

Exposure and shelter

As a coastal town, Wicklow's exposure to wind is generally higher than inland locations. However, the specific exposure can vary depending on local topography and the immediate surroundings. While the town is on the coast, the presence of buildings and other structures can provide localised shelter, reducing wind speeds at ground level. Conversely, open areas, particularly those directly facing the sea, will experience more direct wind exposure. The broader county of Wicklow is known as the 'Garden County' with the Wicklow Mountains inland, which can influence wind patterns elsewhere in the county, for example, creating gusty conditions in mountain passes like Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap. However, for Wicklow town itself, the coastal aspect is the primary factor for exposure.

Local uses of the wind forecast

Wind forecasts are relevant for various activities in Wicklow. For the tourism sector, understanding wind conditions is important for planning outdoor activities, particularly those along the coast or at Wicklow Harbour. Agriculture and forestry, key sectors in County Wicklow, rely on wind data for tasks such as spraying and timing silage cuts. Building and roofing work in the town also benefits from accurate wind information, as strong winds can impact safety and operations. For those involved in sea use, such as sailing or fishing from Wicklow Harbour, wind direction and strength are critical for navigation and safety. Even for walking, understanding wind chill and gust potential can enhance comfort and planning.

Near Wicklow

Wicklow is in Co. Wicklow, one of 14 towns we publish for the county. The nearest observing stations are Casement (45 km), Phoenix Park (47 km) and Weston Airport EIWT (METAR) (51 km). The closest wind farm in our guide is Arklow Bank Offshore Wind, about 23 km away.

Nearest spots

Questions about wind in Wicklow

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