When people think of the windiest cities in the U.S., they often assume Chicago tops the list. However, according to Redfin, a real estate brokerage company, the true title belongs to Amarillo, Texas. In a recent ranking of the 10 windiest U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more, Amarillo secured the #1 spot.
Redfin determined these rankings based on annual average wind speed, and Amarillo leads the pack with an average of 12.9 miles per hour (mph). Additionally, the city holds an official record wind speed of 84 mph, recorded in 1949.
Why Is Amarillo So Windy?
Several factors contribute to Amarillo’s high winds:
- Geographic Location: Situated in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is part of the Great Plains, an area known for its flat terrain and lack of natural wind barriers.
- Weather Patterns: The city is frequently affected by cold fronts, dry lines, and strong pressure systems, which create ideal conditions for gusty winds.
- Tornado Alley: Amarillo is within Tornado Alley, a region notorious for high winds, thunderstorms, and tornado activity, particularly in spring and early summer.
Top 10 Windiest Cities in the U.S.
According to Redfin’s analysis, these cities experience the highest average wind speeds:
- Amarillo, Texas – 12.9 mph
- Rochester, Minnesota – 12.6 mph
- Lubbock, Texas – 12.4 mph
- Corpus Christi, Texas – 12.0 mph
- Wichita, Kansas – 11.5 mph
- Boston, Massachusetts – 11.5 mph
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 11.3 mph
- Wichita Falls, Texas – 11.2 mph
- Fargo, North Dakota – 11.1 mph
- Abilene, Texas – 10.9 mph
Texas dominates the list with five of the top 10 windiest cities, reinforcing the state’s reputation for strong gusts.
The 10 Least Windy Cities in the U.S.
While some cities deal with strong winds daily, others experience much calmer conditions. Redfin also ranked the least windy cities, with Los Angeles, California having the lowest average wind speed of just 1.9 mph.
- Los Angeles, CA – 1.9 mph
- Chattanooga, TN – 5.0 mph
- Tallahassee, FL – 5.5 mph
- Augusta, GA – 5.5 mph
- Long Beach, CA – 5.6 mph
- Montgomery, AL – 5.9 mph
- Macon, GA – 5.9 mph
- Gainesville, FL – 6.0 mph
- Columbus, GA – 6.0 mph
- Knoxville, TN – 6.0 mph
Why Are Some Cities Less Windy?
The least windy cities tend to share the following characteristics:
- Geography: Many of them are surrounded by mountains, forests, or other natural barriers that block strong winds.
- Climate: Warmer, humid climates, such as California and the Southeast U.S., experience fewer strong pressure changes, resulting in calmer winds.
- Urban Infrastructure: Dense cityscapes with tall buildings can reduce the impact of wind at ground level.
Wind and Its Impact on Daily Life
Strong winds can have both positive and negative effects on cities. In windy cities like Amarillo, wind energy is an essential resource, with Texas leading the U.S. in wind power production. However, strong winds can also cause power outages, transportation delays, and increased wear on buildings and infrastructure.
On the other hand, calm cities like Los Angeles benefit from fewer disruptions but may struggle with air pollution, as wind helps disperse smog and contaminants.
