A 60 mile-per-hour wind speed represents a severe and potentially dangerous weather event. These winds are capable of causing widespread property damage, creating life-threatening hazards from flying debris, and making outdoor activity and vehicle travel extremely risky. The National Weather Service frequently issues a High Wind Warning when sustained winds of 40 mph or gusts exceeding 58 mph are expected. Such speeds are comparable to tropical storm-force winds, signifying a serious threat requiring immediate protective action.
How 60 mph Winds Rank on the Beaufort Scale
The classification of wind speed relies on the Beaufort Wind Force Scale, which links wind intensity to observable effects on land and sea. A 60 mph wind falls within Force 10, officially termed a “Storm” or “Whole Gale.” The range for Force 10 is between 55 and 63 mph, placing it one step below the “Violent Storm” of Force 11.
The scale categorizes 60 mph winds near the upper limit of non-hurricane severe weather events. For context, hurricane-force winds begin at 74 mph, meaning 60 mph possesses approximately 80% of the minimum speed required for a hurricane designation.
The scale translates the wind’s power into specific, visible land effects. At this level, the wind is no longer simply moving objects but actively breaking and uprooting large vegetation and causing notable damage to structures.
Structural and Landscape Damage Potential
The physical impact of a sustained 60 mph wind is considerable, resulting in damage across both natural and built environments. In the landscape, the force is sufficient to cause significant breakage and uprooting of trees, not just snapping off small branches. Weak, diseased, or shallow-rooted trees are particularly vulnerable to being blown over entirely, creating large-scale blockages and hazards.
The damage potential extends to infrastructure, where downed trees and limbs commonly bring down power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. On buildings, 60 mph winds can inflict considerable structural damage. This often begins with the wind lifting and peeling away roofing materials, such as shingles and tiles, especially on the corners and edges of a roof.
While modern, well-constructed homes are designed to withstand high winds, older or poorly maintained structures may experience more severe issues, including partial wall or roof failure. Unsecured items like fences, sheds, and loose outdoor debris become high-velocity projectiles capable of shattering windows and causing secondary damage to property. Brief, higher-speed gusts are often the primary cause of damage, as they exert maximum instantaneous pressure on structural weaknesses.
Navigating Safety Risks for People and Drivers
A 60 mph wind creates immediate and serious safety risks for anyone caught outdoors or attempting to travel. For pedestrians, walking becomes extremely difficult, often requiring a person to lean significantly into the wind simply to maintain balance and avoid being pushed off course. The progression of a person can be generally impeded, making any necessary outdoor movement a physically taxing and dangerous effort.
The greatest personal risk comes from the sheer volume and speed of flying debris, which can include heavy objects transformed into dangerous projectiles. This material, ranging from broken tree limbs to pieces of structural siding, poses a direct threat of severe injury or even death. Shelter should be sought immediately indoors, away from windows and glass doors, to avoid injury from flying material.
Driving conditions become hazardous at this wind velocity, particularly for vehicles with a large surface area, known as high-profile vehicles. Trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles, and vehicles towing trailers are especially susceptible to being violently pushed off course by crosswinds. The large side profile of these vehicles acts like a sail, and sudden gusts can lead to a loss of control, causing the vehicle to veer into another lane or, in extreme cases, roll over. Drivers of all vehicles should slow down, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, and be prepared to pull over safely away from trees or power lines if the conditions make travel unsafe.