High Wind Warning
vs. Wind Advisory
Unlike some NWS alerts, this pair comes down to a specific number: sustained wind speed and gust speed. Here's exactly where the line is drawn.
The Wind Speed Thresholds
Wind Advisory
Sustained winds of 31–39 mph, or gusts of 46–57 mph. Strong enough to make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, and to snap weak tree limbs.
High Wind Warning
Sustained winds of 40+ mph lasting an hour or more, or gusts of 58+ mph at any point. This is enough to bring down healthy trees, damage roofs, and topple high-profile vehicles.
These thresholds are set nationally by NWS policy and are more consistent state to state than heat or fire-weather criteria, which flex by region.
What Actually Happens at Each Level
Driving
Sustained wind above 30 mph makes lane control difficult for trucks, RVs, trailers, and motorcycles, especially in open areas and on bridges. Slow down and grip the wheel with both hands through gusts.
Trees and Power Lines
At Warning-level winds, even healthy, well-rooted trees can fail — especially if the ground is already saturated from recent rain. Downed power lines are a leading cause of High Wind Warning injuries. Treat every downed line as live.
Outdoor Objects
Secure or bring in trampolines, patio furniture, grills, and trash cans before the wind arrives — loose items become projectiles and a major source of window and vehicle damage.
Not the Same as a Severe Thunderstorm Warning
High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories are issued for sustained, longer-duration wind events — often tied to a strong low-pressure system or a tight pressure gradient, lasting hours. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers short, intense wind gusts from a specific storm cell, usually over in minutes. Both can produce damaging wind, but the alerts track different weather setups.
Where This Wind Speed Falls on the Beaufort Scale
The Beaufort scale, developed in 1805 to estimate wind speed from observed effects, still lines up well with what you'll actually see outside:
Force 7–8 (Advisory Range)
31–46 mph. Whole trees sway, walking against the wind takes real effort, and twigs break off. This is what you'll feel through most of a Wind Advisory.
Force 9–10 (Warning Range)
47–63 mph. Roof shingles and slate can be torn off, and healthy trees can be uprooted — comparable to the outer wind field of a Category 1 hurricane.
Regional Wind Events With Their Own Names
Some parts of the country get named local wind phenomena that can trigger these same alerts under different conditions: the Santa Ana winds in Southern California (dry offshore winds that also elevate fire danger), the Chinook winds along the Rockies (warm downslope winds that can spike temperatures and wind speed together), and derecho-driven straight-line wind events across the Plains and Midwest. If you live in one of these areas, a High Wind Warning may show up alongside other regional alerts, like a Red Flag Warning, on the same day.
Get Wind Alerts on Your Phone
StormCast pushes Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings from the NWS the moment they're issued for your location, alongside every other severe weather alert type.
