If you live in Wichita Falls, Texas, this March’s strong winds were probably a familiar experience. With gusts over 50 mph and dust-filled skies, it’s been a windy season — and now we know it’s not just a feeling. A new study confirms that Wichita Falls is officially one of the windiest cities in the United States.
Redfin Study Reveals the Windiest U.S. Cities
Redfin, a Seattle-based real estate company, recently conducted a 2024 study to find out which cities in the U.S. experience the most wind on average. The study used data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), based on 2023 weather statistics.
While many people think of Chicago as the “Windy City,” it actually didn’t even make the top 10 in Redfin’s list. Instead, Texas cities dominated the rankings, with five Texas cities in the top 10, proving that the Lone Star State is where the wind really blows.
Wichita Falls: No. 8 in the Nation
Wichita Falls secured the 8th spot on the list with an average wind speed of 11.2 mph. According to Redfin, the windiest months are typically in the spring, which locals are certainly feeling this year.
But while Wichita Falls gets plenty of wind, it’s Amarillo that tops the charts.
Amarillo: America’s Windiest City
With an average wind speed of 12.9 mph, Amarillo earned the title of the windiest city in the U.S.. Located in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo has very few natural barriers to slow the wind down — just open plains and lots of breeze.
There’s even a local saying that captures it perfectly:
“There ain’t much between Amarillo and the North Pole but a one-strand bob-wire fence — and it’s blowed down most of the time.”
No wonder Amarillo High School’s mascot is the Sandstorm!
The Top 10 Windiest Cities in the U.S.
Here’s the full list from Redfin’s study, including average wind speeds:
- Amarillo, TX – 12.9 mph
- Rochester, MN – 12.0 mph
- Lubbock, TX – 12.0 mph
- Corpus Christi, TX – 11.7 mph
- Wichita, KS – 11.5 mph
- Boston, MA – 11.5 mph
- Oklahoma City, OK – 11.3 mph
- Wichita Falls, TX – 11.2 mph
- Fargo, ND – 11.1 mph
- Abilene, TX – 10.9 mph
The study only looked at cities with populations of 100,000 or more, so smaller towns weren’t included.
Least Windy City? Los Angeles
On the other end of the list, Los Angeles was named the least windy city in the U.S., with an average wind speed of just 1.9 mph — barely enough to clear the air!
Extreme Winds: Mount Washington’s Record
For those who truly love wind, Mount Washington in New Hampshire is the ultimate destination. The mountain holds the record for the highest wind speed ever recorded in the U.S. — 231 mph in 1934. Its average wind speed? A massive 35.8 mph.
(Note: Tornadoes weren’t included in the study because they usually destroy weather equipment, making them hard to measure.)