The movement of air across the planet’s surface shapes weather patterns, landscapes, and human activity. Wind, which is air in motion, results from atmospheric pressure differences caused by the uneven heating of the Earth. Understanding the speed and consistency of this movement has practical implications for engineering, agriculture, and the rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Tracking the states with the highest wind speeds provides data that informs construction codes and aviation safety. Determining the windiest state requires looking beyond anecdotal gusts to standardized metrics used by weather scientists.
Defining and Measuring Wind Speed
Determining the windiest state requires a standardized metric that moves beyond single extreme events. The accepted measure is the average annual wind speed recorded across a state’s territory, not just the frequency of high-speed gusts. This average is calculated from continuous readings taken over many years to establish a reliable long-term climate profile. The instruments used to gather this data are called anemometers, typically mounted on towers at a height of 10 meters (about 33 feet) to minimize ground-level obstructions.
The standard cup anemometer uses rotating cups, where the rate of rotation is proportional to the wind speed. Data is collected and analyzed by organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). This sustained wind speed, averaged over about ten minutes, must be distinguished from a wind gust, which is a brief, sudden increase in speed lasting only a few seconds. High average annual speed indicates a persistently windy climate, which is the basis for these rankings.
The Windiest State
Based on long-term data, Wyoming is consistently ranked as the windiest state in the United States. Its unique geography creates a persistent environment for high wind, driven by high elevation and placement relative to major mountain ranges. The average elevation is around 6,700 feet above sea level, placing much of the land closer to the faster air currents of the upper atmosphere.
A highly localized phenomenon known as the Wyoming Wind Corridor funnels air through a topographic gap in the Rocky Mountains. Located in the southeastern part of the state, this corridor contains the lowest point of the Continental Divide in the northern Rockies. Air traveling eastward from the Great Basin prefers this path of least resistance, bounded by the Wind River Mountains and the Medicine Bow Mountains. This natural funneling effect intensifies the wind, accelerating the flow as it is squeezed through the narrowing terrain. This process, combined with strong pressure gradients, results in a persistent, high-speed flow.
Geographic Factors Creating Wind Corridors
The concentration of the windiest states in the central U.S. is traced to the interaction of large-scale atmospheric patterns and topography. The vast expanse of the Great Plains provides minimal surface friction or obstruction to moving air. The flat, open terrain allows wind to travel long distances while gaining momentum, which is a primary contributor to the high average speeds recorded here.
The presence of the Rocky Mountains to the west plays a significant role by creating compression and downslope effects. As air masses move eastward, they are forced to rise over the mountains, causing them to cool and dry out. Once the air crests the peaks, it descends the eastern slopes, often accelerating rapidly in a process known as a downslope windstorm. This accelerated flow blasts across the plains, creating strong prevailing winds. The North American jet stream also frequently dips south over the central U.S., influencing and intensifying these surface wind patterns.
The Runner-Up States and Regional Variations
While Wyoming claims the highest average annual wind speed, several other interior states consistently rank just below it. The runners-up include Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Kansas, all benefiting from the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain influence. These states experience sustained winds ideal for wind power generation, with average speeds often exceeding 10 miles per hour. The wind in these regions is characterized by its persistence and consistency across the year.
This pattern contrasts with high-wind events in other parts of the country. Coastal states experience powerful, but temporary, wind events from hurricanes or strong winter storms. Isolated mountain peaks, such as Mount Washington in New Hampshire, record some of the highest wind speeds ever measured in the U.S., but these represent extreme localized conditions rather than a state-wide average. Therefore, the windiest states are those where the atmosphere and geography collaborate to create consistently fast air movement over broad areas.