When wind speeds hit 40 mph, driving becomes significantly more dangerous, especially on open roads, where gusts can come in full force. In extreme cases of gusts over 58 mph, it's safest to avoid driving altogether, as these speeds make it difficult for any vehicle to stay on the road.
Winds 32-38 MPH: Hard to walk against the wind, full trees are in motion. Winds 39-46 MPH: Twigs and small branches break from winds. Winds 47-54 MPH: Damage begins to occur to buildings. Roofing tiles are at risk, you will tend to see broken branches on the ground.
32-38 Mph 50-61 kph 28-33 knots Moderate or Near Gale Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk. Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown. 39-46 Mph 62-74 kph 34-40 knots Gale or Fresh Gale Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult.
If you are caught outside during high winds:
Take cover next to a building or under a shelter. Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing.
A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph for one hour and/or frequent gusts of at least 45 mph are occurring or expected within the next 36 hours. These winds will make it difficult to drive high profile vehicles. Small, unsecured objects may be blown around by these winds.
"High wind" with sustained speeds of 40 to 57 mph. Wind conditions consistent with a high wind warning. "A Moderate Threat to Life and Property from High Wind." "Very windy" with sustained speeds of 26 to 39 mph, or frequent wind gusts of 35 to 57 mph.
Can 40 MPH Winds Know Down Trees? 40 MPH winds are unlikely to completely knock them down, but at this speed branches and limbs can be broken from trees.
Wind gusts of 50-60 mph are considered dangerous, as they can cause significant damage to trees, power lines, and buildings. They can also make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Gusts over 30 or 40mph can affect your balance so it is advisable to avoid exposed ridge lines or getting too close to cliff edges in those conditions. In winds of over 50mph, it becomes difficult to walk and above 70mph any forward progress becomes almost impossible!
Residential windows typically withstand winds of 70 to 80 mph before showing signs of stress. Commercial buildings often feature more robust windows, with many rated to handle winds exceeding 100 mph in high-rise settings.
7 32-38 35 Near gale Whole trees in motion. Some difficulty when walking into the wind. 8 39-46 42 Gale Twigs broken from trees. Car veer on road.
While high winds (a crosswind above 40 mph and a tailwind above 10 mph) can occasionally prevent planes from taking off or landing on time, winds won't put your flight in any danger.
32 to 38 mph Whole trees in motion. Inconvenience felt when walking against the wind. 39 to 46 mph Wind breaks twigs and small branches. Wind generally impedes walking.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a high wind warning when sustained winds of 40 mph or greater or gusts of 58 mph or greater are expected. They alert the public about these events and issue red flag warnings, indicating conditions of elevated wind speeds that raise the risk of wildfires.
This threat level warns motorists and pedestrians that winds between 40 and 57 mph are a “high threat to life and property from high wind.” “Extreme,” the highest threat level warning, is reserved for wind speeds greater than 58 mph, or frequent wind gusts greater than 58 mph.
Typical crosswind limits for commercial airliners can range from around 15 to 30 knots (approximately 17 to 34.5 mph or 28 to 55 km/h), depending on the aircraft model. Some larger and more advanced aircraft may have higher crosswind limits due to their advanced flight control systems and design features.
At 100 mph, they may start to disintegrate. Tie-downs may help anchor a mobile home in a windstorm, but do not protect it against other objects rolling or flying into it. Most of all, keep abreast of weather conditions and have a plan for your family's safety.
According to the scale presented below (see “Perspective”), winds of less than 54mph will cause a range of damage, whereas wind speeds of 55-63 mph will uproot and make trees fall. Meanwhile, gusts of only 20 mph are capable of causing damage to buildings or structures.
When a cyclone named Klaus tore across southwestern France in January 2009, it highlighted a strange phenomenon: Trees, regardless of their diameter, height, or elastic properties, don't tend to break until wind speeds reach about 42 m/s (94 mph).
If you weighed 100 pounds, it would take a wind speed of about 45 mph to move you, but not knock you down, unless you lose your balance. Knocking you down would take a wind of at least 70 mph.
Typical wind speeds that can be strong enough to knock over a vulnerable tree are between 55 and 63 miles per hour on the Beaufort Wind Scale. Damaging wind from violent storms can uproot even the healthiest trees, as some of these winds could be upwards of 100 miles per hour.