Wind is defined as the movement of air from high to low atmospheric pressure, driven by global and local temperature differences. When searching for the “windiest place,” a distinction must be made between the highest instantaneous burst of air and the location that endures the highest sustained average wind speed over time. This difference separates places known for powerful, brief storms from regions defined by a nearly perpetual gale.
The World Record Holder for Sustained Wind
The place universally recognized as having the highest sustained average wind speed is Cape Denison, located in Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica. This coastal region is subjected to a constant barrage of wind unmatched anywhere else on the planet. The average annual wind speed at Cape Denison is consistently recorded around 45 to 50 miles per hour (72 to 80 kilometers per hour).
The winds are extraordinarily steady and unrelenting, routinely reaching gale force for weeks at a time. Douglas Mawson, who established a base there during his 1911–1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition, described the location as the “Home of the Blizzard.” His team recorded speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour regularly, making movement outside a struggle.
This sustained ferocity distinguishes Cape Denison from locations that experience brief, stronger storms. The constant nature of the wind has defined the environment, securing its record as the windiest place on Earth.
The Science Behind Extreme Wind
The perpetual gale at Cape Denison is caused by a meteorological phenomenon known as a katabatic wind. This wind is driven by gravity and the unique topography of the Antarctic continent. Extreme cold temperatures over the vast, high Antarctic plateau cause the air to become incredibly dense and heavy.
This mass of heavy, cold air flows down the steep slopes of the ice sheet toward the coast. The particularly steep incline behind Cape Denison allows the gravity-driven air to accelerate rapidly as it descends toward sea level. The speed increases significantly as it rushes down the slope.
The geographic funneling effect created by the surrounding terrain concentrates this flow of air, pushing it out over the bay at tremendous speeds. The resulting wind is a concentrated stream of frigid, dense air characterized by its consistent direction and exceptional velocity. The severity of the katabatic flow ensures the region remains the record holder for sustained wind, as the necessary conditions—a high, cold plateau meeting a steep coastal slope—are permanent features.
Notable Records for Wind Gusts and Non-Polar Locations
While Cape Denison holds the record for sustained average wind, the record for the strongest instantaneous wind gust belongs to a different location. The highest recorded surface wind speed, not associated with a tornado, was 253 miles per hour (407 kilometers per hour), measured on Barrow Island, Australia, in 1996 during Tropical Cyclone Olivia.
This record surpassed the long-standing mark of 231 mph set in 1934 at the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The distinction between a wind gust and a sustained wind is important: a gust is a brief, sudden increase in speed averaged over a few seconds, while the Antarctic record is based on long-term averages.
For populated areas, the windiest city is often cited as Wellington, New Zealand, due to its consistently high average wind speed. Located in the path of the powerful “Roaring Forties” westerly winds, the city experiences an average speed of around 27 mph at elevated points, with gusts occasionally reaching over 125 mph.
How Wind Speed is Measured
Extreme wind statistics from places like Cape Denison are recorded using instruments called anemometers. The most traditional type, the cup anemometer, uses rotating cups to measure wind speed, but these are prone to icing and mechanical failure in harsh, sub-zero climates. For the most accurate data in severe environments, non-mechanical instruments are often preferred.
Sonic or ultrasonic anemometers measure wind speed by sending high-frequency sound pulses between transducers, calculating velocity based on how the sound wave’s travel time is affected. Since these devices have no moving parts, they are more robust against the extreme cold, ice, and high wind forces prevalent in Antarctica. Ensuring the accuracy of extreme wind measurement remains challenging, requiring stringent calibration and validation after an instrument has endured hurricane-force conditions.