Wind Speed Damage Chart — What 40, 50, 60 and 70+ MPH Winds Do
What each wind speed can damage, from a 40 mph gale to a Category 5 hurricane: NWS high-wind and severe criteria, tropical storm and hurricane speeds, and a live 10–160 mph visualizer with Beaufort, Saffir-Simpson, and EF context. Free, no account or sign-in.
Interactive Wind Visualizer
Drag the slider from 10 to 160 mph and watch a live scene respond, with Beaufort, Saffir-Simpson, and EF-scale context and what each speed can damage — shingles, fences, siding, trees, vehicles. Free, no signup.
Wind speeds at a glance
- 25–39 mph — loose objects move; patio furniture and trash bins travel.
- 40–44 mph — gale force: twigs and weak limbs break; walking is difficult.
- 45–57 mph — StormAuditor's 45 mph screening threshold up to the NWS severe criterion: weak tree limbs fail, aged shingles lift, fence panels fail.
- 58–73 mph — NWS severe: healthy limbs snap, shallow-rooted trees fall, shingle and siding damage becomes common.
- 74–95 mph — hurricane force (Category 1 when sustained): roof-covering loss, snapped trees, widespread outages.
- 100+ mph — significant structural damage; readings this high are checked against an independent instrument.
Why bands matter
StormAuditor's Free Report Snapshot uses 45 mph as its wind screening threshold; the NWS severe criterion is 58 mph; structural damage climbs steeply through the 70s and 80s. When a wind report estimates a 68 mph gust at a property, this guide shows what that band typically means. How estimates are formed and tested: Wind Methodology.
What 40, 50, 60 and 70 mph winds can do
40 mph winds
40 mph winds sit in Beaufort force 8 (gale, 39–46 mph): twigs break off trees, walking is hard, and patio furniture and trash bins travel. Roofs in good condition are normally unaffected, though already-loose shingles can flutter and weak branches fall.
50 mph winds
50 mph gusts fall in Beaufort force 9 (47–54 mph), where the scale notes slight structural damage. Large branches break, aged fence panels fail, and shingles can lift on aged or poorly fastened roofs. 50 mph is above StormAuditor's 45 mph screening threshold and below the NWS 58 mph severe criterion.
60 mph winds
60 mph gusts meet the NWS severe thunderstorm criterion (58 mph or more) and sit in Beaufort force 10 (55–63 mph): trees uprooted, considerable structural damage. Expect large limbs down, shallow-rooted trees falling, fence sections blown over, shingle and siding loss on older homes, and power outages.
70 mph winds
70 mph gusts sit in Beaufort force 11 (64–72 mph), which the scale describes as widespread damage. Large trees and limbs can come down onto homes and cars, sections of roofing and siding can tear away, and carports, sheds, and mobile homes are at risk. Hurricane force begins at 74 mph sustained.
What wind speed is considered high, dangerous or damaging?
The National Weather Service treats wind as "high" when sustained winds reach 40 mph for an hour or more, or gusts reach 58 mph — the High Wind Warning criteria used by NWS offices such as Baltimore/Washington. Thunderstorm gusts of 58 mph or more meet the NWS severe criterion. Damage to aged roofs, fences, and trees can begin in the mid-40s.
- Wind Advisory (NWS) — Sustained winds of 31–39 mph for an hour or more, and/or gusts of 46–57 mph for any duration.
- High Wind Warning (NWS) — Sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or more, or gusts of 58 mph or more for any duration.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (NWS) — Thunderstorm winds of 58 mph or more, and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.
- StormAuditor screening threshold — An estimated gust of 45 mph or more at the address — the level where aged or poorly fastened shingles may begin to lift. It is a screening level for the Free Report Snapshot, set below the NWS severe criterion on purpose.
NWS criteria as published by NWS Baltimore/Washington (weather.gov/lwx); local criteria vary slightly by office and terrain. NWS warning and advisory criteria.
Tropical storm and hurricane wind speeds
NOAA's National Hurricane Center classifies tropical cyclones by maximum sustained wind — the highest one-minute average at 10 meters. Gusts in the same storm run higher. A tropical storm has sustained winds of 39–73 mph; a hurricane starts at 74 mph and is rated 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
| Classification | Maximum sustained wind | Typical damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical depression | 38 mph or less | Heavy rain and flooding are the main threats |
| Tropical storm | 39–73 mph | Downed limbs and trees, power outages, roof-covering and siding damage on older homes |
| Category 1 hurricane | 74–95 mph | NHC: very dangerous winds will produce some damage |
| Category 2 hurricane | 96–110 mph | NHC: extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage |
| Category 3 hurricane | 111–129 mph | NHC: devastating damage will occur |
| Category 4 hurricane | 130–156 mph | NHC: catastrophic damage will occur |
| Category 5 hurricane | 157 mph or higher | NHC: catastrophic damage will occur |
A hurricane's category describes its strongest winds, not the wind at every address it crosses. To see the estimated peak gust at a specific property on a hurricane or tropical storm date, check a wind report by address.
To see how strong the wind actually got, yesterday's peak wind gusts lists the highest measured station gusts in the U.S. and in each state.
Wind speed damage chart — every band, calm to 200+ mph
| Gust range | Scale context | What you would observe | Roof | Windows & doors | Fences | Trees | Vehicles | Outbuildings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–12 mph | 0-3 Light air / Light breeze | Calm smoke rises straight; leaves rustle; light flags stir. | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected |
| 13–24 mph | 4-5 Moderate / Fresh breeze | Small trees sway; dust raised; whitecaps on water. | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected | No damage expected |
| 25–30 mph | 6 Strong breeze | Large branches move; umbrellas hard to use. | Typically no damage | No damage expected | No damage expected | Small dead branches may fall | No damage expected | No damage expected |
| 31–45 mph | 7-8 Near / Fresh gale | Whole trees in motion; walking against the wind is difficult; small branches break off. | Possible flutter of already-loose shingles on aged roofs | No damage expected | Loose panels may rattle or shift | Small branches may break; unsecured yard debris can be lofted | No damage expected from the wind itself | No damage expected on well-built sheds |
| 46–57 mph StormAuditor snapshot screening threshold (≥ 45 mph) | 9 Strong gale | Large branches break; slight structural damage possible on aging or poorly-maintained property. | Shingles may lift on aged or poorly-fastened roofs | Typically no direct wind damage; risk is from debris | Aged or loose fence panels may fail | Large branches may break; shallow-rooted or diseased trees at risk | No direct wind damage; risk is from windborne debris | Typically no damage on well-built sheds |
| 58–73 mph NWS severe thunderstorm gust threshold (≥ 58 mph) | 10-11 Storm / Violent storm | Shallow-rooted trees may uproot; considerable damage to older structures possible. | Possible shingle loss on aged or poorly-fastened roofs | Possible damage from windborne debris | Sections may fail or blow down | Shallow-rooted trees may come down; large branches down | Possible damage from windborne debris | Possible damage to aged or lightweight structures |
| 74–95 mph Saffir-Simpson Category 1 · EF0 range (65 mph 3-sec gust) | 12 Hurricane force | Widespread damage; trees can snap; power outages common. | Possible widespread shingle or roof-covering loss | Possible broken windows from windborne debris | Widespread fence failure possible | Trees may snap or uproot | Possible impacts from flying debris | Possible carport / awning / lightweight-shed failure |
| 96–110 mph Saffir-Simpson Category 2 · EF1 range | Hurricane force | Extensive damage possible; large trees may uproot; major power loss. | Possible roof-deck loss on vulnerable structures | Garage door failure possible | Widespread failure possible | Large trees may uproot | Significant damage possible from debris | Structural damage possible |
| 111–129 mph Saffir-Simpson Category 3 · EF2 range | Hurricane force | Devastating damage possible; many trees may snap. | Roof-deck loss possible | Widespread window / door failure possible | Widespread destruction possible | Widespread uprooting possible | Significant damage possible | Structural damage or destruction possible |
| 130–156 mph Saffir-Simpson Category 4 · EF2-EF3 range | Hurricane force | Catastrophic damage possible; most trees may come down; long-term power outages. | Roof-structure failure possible | Widespread failure possible | Widespread destruction possible | Most trees may snap or uproot | Major damage or displacement possible | Destruction possible |
| 157–200 mph Saffir-Simpson Category 5 · EF4+ range | Hurricane force | Catastrophic damage; even well-built homes can be destroyed. | Structural failure possible | Widespread destruction possible | Widespread destruction possible | Landscape may be denuded | May be lofted or destroyed | Destruction possible |
Bands follow the Beaufort, Saffir-Simpson, and EF-scale reference ranges. Damage phrases are typical possibilities — structure age, exposure, and debris change outcomes. StormAuditor's 45 mph screening threshold and the official NWS severe criterion (58 mph) are marked in their bands.
Sources for damage guidance: size/speed classes follow official NWS severe criteria; damage possibilities are synthesized from IBHS building-performance research and product test standards — UL 2218 for hail impact classes, ASTM D3161 and ASTM D7158 for shingle wind ratings. Real-world performance varies with product rating, age, installation, and exposure.
How to use this guide
- Drag the slider or click a preset chip to select a wind speed from 10 to 160 mph.
- Watch the animated landscape — the trees, flag, and debris scale with the selected speed.
- Read the "what you'd observe" line for a real-world visual reference.
- Share a speed with a colleague using its URL (e.g. /wind-guide?speed=74).
- Use the Free Report Snapshot to check whether wind of 45 mph or more reached any U.S. address.
Free downloads
Wind speed and possible-damage reference data. Free, no signup, no credit required.
- JSON: https://www.stormauditor.com/datasets/wind-speed-damage-reference.json
- Download wind-speed-damage-reference.csv
Wind speed questions
What wind speed damages roofs?
Aged or poorly fastened asphalt shingles can lift in gusts of about 45–58 mph. Widespread shingle or roof-covering loss becomes possible above 74 mph (Saffir-Simpson Category 1).
What wind speed is "severe"?
The National Weather Service issues a severe thunderstorm warning for gusts of 58 mph or higher, or hail 1 inch or larger. StormAuditor's Free Report Snapshot uses a 45 mph screening threshold at the address, below the NWS severe criterion.
What wind speed is considered high wind?
NWS High Wind Warning criteria are sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or more, or gusts of 58 mph or more. A Wind Advisory covers sustained winds of 31–39 mph or gusts of 46–57 mph.
What wind speed is a tropical storm or a hurricane?
A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 39–73 mph. A hurricane has sustained winds of 74 mph or more: Category 1 is 74–95 mph, Category 2 96–110, Category 3 111–129, Category 4 130–156, and Category 5 157 mph or higher (NOAA National Hurricane Center).
Gusts vs. sustained wind — what is the difference?
Sustained wind is an average over a minute or two; a gust is a brief peak lasting seconds. Damage thresholds are usually stated as gusts because a brief peak is what tears roofing and breaks branches.
What does 60 mph wind look like?
At 60 mph, whole trees are in motion, shallow-rooted trees can uproot, walking outside is difficult, and considerable structural damage is possible. 60 mph is above the NWS 58 mph severe-thunderstorm criterion.
Can 45 mph wind cause damage?
Yes, at the margin. 45–57 mph gusts may lift shingles on aged or poorly-fastened roofs, damage fence panels, and bring down large branches. Most well-maintained property surfaces are unaffected.
What wind speed knocks down trees?
Weak or dead limbs can fall in 40–50 mph gusts. Healthy large branches break and shallow-rooted trees uproot from about 58 mph, and trees can snap or uproot at hurricane force (74 mph and up) — sooner in saturated soil or when trees are in full leaf.
What wind speed damages siding?
Loose or poorly fastened siding panels can unlock and blow off in the 58–73 mph band, and siding damage becomes widespread at hurricane force (74 mph and up). Windborne debris cracks siding at lower speeds than the wind alone.
Is this wind guide free to use?
Yes — the StormAuditor Wind Speed Guide is completely free with no account required. The reference dataset is also free to download and reuse with no credit required (see the data license).
How do I check wind history at my address?
Run the Free Report Snapshot for an instant YES/NO on an estimated gust of 45 mph or more at any U.S. address, and open the Address Lookup for NWS warnings, storm reports, and station observations by date — both free with an account. The Weather Report lists every date with an estimated gust of 40 mph or more: $2.99 for one address, or included with Pro and higher.
Disclaimer. Damage descriptions are general possibilities based on public research, not predictions or determinations. Wind at a location does not by itself establish that damage occurred; an inspection does.
Sources
- NWS Beaufort Wind Scale
- NOAA/NHC Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
- NWS Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale
- NWS Baltimore/Washington — warning and advisory criteria
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) wind research
- NOAA NCEP RTMA/URMA (Unrestricted Mesoscale Analysis)
Related reading: Wind gusts vs. sustained wind · EF scale explained.