Determining the windiest place in the United States is more complex than simply pointing to a single spot, as the answer depends on the type of wind measurement used. Meteorologists distinguish between brief, instantaneous spikes in speed and the long-term, consistent flow of air, leading to different results. A remote mountain peak holds the record for the fastest single gust, but cities in the Great Plains or along the coast may hold the record for the highest annual average wind speed. Therefore, the definition of “windiest” must be established first, whether it refers to an extreme event or the persistent, day-to-day windiness that affects human life.
The Extreme Case Mount Washington New Hampshire
Mount Washington in New Hampshire is officially recognized for recording the highest measured wind speed in the United States. On April 12, 1934, observers at the summit’s weather observatory measured a peak wind gust of 231 miles per hour. This measurement was, for decades, the highest wind speed ever recorded anywhere on Earth, and it still holds the record for a directly measured surface wind speed not associated with a tornado or tropical cyclone.
The mountain’s location and topography contribute to its severe weather and high wind speeds. The 6,288-foot peak lies at the convergence of three major storm tracks, making it a regular target for powerful weather systems. Furthermore, the mountain’s prominence acts as a significant barrier to the prevailing westerly winds, which often travel unimpeded for over 1,500 miles across the continent.
As the air is forced upward over the steep slopes of the Presidential Range, it accelerates through a phenomenon known as the Venturi effect, similar to how a fluid speeds up when passing through a constriction. Mount Washington has an average annual wind speed of approximately 35 mph, the highest of any weather station in the continental United States. The summit experiences hurricane-force winds (74 mph or greater) on more than 100 days each year.
Distinguishing Average Speed From Peak Gusts
Wind speed measurements rely on two primary metrics: sustained wind speed and peak wind gusts. Sustained wind speed represents the average speed of the wind flow over a set period, providing a measure of the wind’s consistent force. The World Meteorological Organization recommends a 10-minute average for this measurement, though the United States National Weather Service often uses a 1-minute average.
Peak wind gusts, conversely, are the maximum instantaneous or very short-term wind speeds recorded during the same period. These represent the brief, violent fluctuations in air movement, and in the US, gusts are typically based on a 2- to 3-second average. A location may have a moderate sustained wind but still experience very high gusts due to atmospheric instability and turbulence.
Meteorological stations measure these speeds using instruments called anemometers. To ensure consistency and comparability across different regions, the World Meteorological Organization has set a standard for these measurements. The standard height for official wind recording is 10 meters (33 feet) above the ground in an open area. This height minimizes the influence of surface friction caused by terrain, buildings, or trees.
Windiest Populated Areas in the United States
When the focus shifts from uninhabited mountain peaks to cities and towns, the definition of “windiest” is determined by the highest annual average wind speed. This metric describes the persistent windiness that residents experience daily. Dodge City, Kansas, frequently ranks as one of the windiest cities in the US, with an annual average wind speed approaching 15 mph. This is primarily due to its location in the Great Plains, where flat, open terrain allows air masses to move with little friction.
Other metropolitan areas with persistently high average speeds include Amarillo, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, both in the Great Plains. Amarillo’s average wind speed is around 13.6 mph, a result of its position in the Texas Panhandle near the Rocky Mountains, where westerly winds create low-pressure zones that draw in strong winds. Oklahoma City averages around 12.8 mph, situated in a corridor where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico frequently meets dry air from the High Plains.
Coastal and Great Lakes cities also rank highly due to pressure differences between land and water. Buffalo, New York, on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, has an average wind speed of about 11.8 mph, as strong pressure gradients develop across the large body of water. Boston, Massachusetts, and other cities along the northeastern seaboard experience high average wind speeds because of their exposure to strong winds generated over the Atlantic Ocean.