When is wind dangerous

This effect works primarily through convection, when the warmth is transferred out of your body and onto the fast-moving air molecules.

For example, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , on a 30 degree day, just five mph of wind can make it feel like 25 degrees out. If that wind picks up to 30 mph, it will feel like 15 degrees, a considerably chillier experience.

The colder the actual temperature, the more acute the wind chill effect, which at extreme levels can lead to frostbite and other medical emergencies like hypothermia. If you have to venture outside, make sure you know what to do during wind chills. Wind can cause plenty of damage on its own, but it often arrives hand-in-hand with other forms of nasty weather that can compound the danger.

Straight-line wind that precedes a thunderstorm is known as a derecho and can create considerable chaos even before the heavy rains and lightning bolts arrive on the scene. Depending on where you live, you may be subject to extreme wind-related weather events such as hurricanes or tornadoes , which are life-threatening occurrences that may require more intense emergency preparation up to and including evacuation.

Please follow all instructions from local officials if you are unfortunate enough to experience such a disaster and make the safety of your family your number one priority. High winds and wildfire are also a deadly combination, as the massive conflagrations that have overrun large swaths of the western United States the past few years have demonstrated.

When a major storm arrives in your town, you need to be prepared for serious disruptions to your normal day-to-day activities. Tell us when you're current service will end, and we will email you a reminder two weeks ahead of your service end date. By pressing "submit", you're signing up to receive emails about our special offers and promotions.

You can opt out at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" in an email. Sorry, this plan is not available for your location. Click your state below to view offers in your area. Causes of Windstorms We expect high winds during stormy weather or high-profile storms like tropical storms and hurricanes. Understanding Wind Alerts The National Weather Service issues a range of wind alerts when high winds are predicted or occurring.

Get indoors if possible when high winds are occurring. Stay away from windows, and if winds are severe or if tornadoes are possible, move to the basement or the lowest interior room.

Manufactured homes and trailers are not safe shelters in high winds. This could be next to a building or in an exterior below-ground stairwell. You want to protect yourself from flying debris or from being blown into more dangerous areas, like roads or train tracks. During extreme high winds or tornadoes, the safest place in an open area may be face-down in a ditch or low-lying ground, with your hands clasped behind your head. Wind Threat Description Weather. Current Hazards. Local National Regional Area Radars.

Rivers and Lakes. Climate and Past Weather. Drought Climate Prediction More Local Threat Awareness. Related Products. Follow us on Twitter. It is important to remember that nothing is more important than the safety of people so objects should only be brought indoors if it is safe to do so. Some objects will simply be too big to safely bring indoors in the event of high winds, but even if they are too large to bring in they can still be affected by wind. As seen in the Reality Alert, the soccer goal could not have realistically been brought inside, but someone should have anchored and secured them properly.

Other objects to consider include signs, tables, chairs, large umbrellas, play structures, watercrafts, garbage cans, and much more.

There are many ways to safely secure these objects including weights, ropes, chains, and stakes. Closing windows and doors is a simple step that can be easily forgotten while everyone is securing objects, collecting their belongings, and heading indoors. Open windows can result in water damage or broken glass. If there are shutters it is important to close them. Also, close and secure doors since strong winds can easily rip them from hinges. It is easy to make sure you and your staff safely get everyone indoors or to a shelter and secure all of your things, but what happens when rented equipment is left unattended by its operators?

It is important to only work with reputable vendors who operate their own equipment and have certificates of insurance. Small trees may be blown over and uprooted.

Larger trees blown over and uprooted. Roofs can be peeled off. Windows broken. Trees uprooted. RVs and small mobile homes overturned. Moving automobiles can be pushed off the roadways. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on YouTube. Disclaimer Information Quality Help Glossary. Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, not by wind vanes.