These are the locations that frequently experience strong gusts and record the highest wind speeds ever recorded.
Wellington, New Zealand (248 km/h): The capital of New Zealand is known as the windiest capital in the world. The average annual wind speed here is 47 km/h, strong enough to make most of us squint and seek shelter when encountered. Notably, the city experienced a storm with a record wind speed of 248 km/h during the winter of 1962. (Photo: Milosz Maslanka).
Shetland Islands, UK (278 km/h): Located between the northern tip of Scotland and the Faroe Islands, the Shetland Islands are the windiest destination in the UK according to Met Office data. The islands have a fairly strong average annual wind speed of 24 km/h and recorded gusts exceeding 278 km/h in 1986. Shetland consists of over 100 islands, with 15 inhabited. The archipelago features a hilly landscape and a relatively mild climate. The strongest winds occur in winter, sometimes reaching storm strength (over 117 km/h), while spring and summer bring milder weather. (Photo: Chris Furlong).
Mount Everest, China and Nepal (282 km/h): The roof of the world is no stranger to extreme weather phenomena. Overcoming harsh conditions and conquering the height of 8,848 m of Everest is a challenge many aspire to reach. This high-altitude region experiences strong winds averaging over 161 km/h in winter. The record wind speed recorded at the summit is 282 km/h in February 2004. The months from May to September are considered the calmest and most suitable for climbing. (Photo: Vixit).
Kirkwood Mountain, California, USA (336 km/h): A new record for the highest wind speed in California was set in February 2020 at Kirkwood Mountain, a resort located just south of Lake Tahoe. A gust of wind reaching 336 km/h was recorded at an elevation of 2,800 m above ground. The slopes of Kirkwood are famous for skiing and snowboarding. (Photo: George Rose).
Mount Washington, New Hampshire, USA (372 km/h): This peak held the title for the highest wind speed in the world for over 60 years. The figure of 372 km/h was reported by staff at the mountain observatory in April 1934. The highest peak in the Northeastern United States lies in a belt of frequent storms. The average annual wind speed is around 51 km/h, with an average high of 74 km/h in the month with the strongest winds (January). Mount Washington is considered the windiest place in the USA, experiencing strong wind storms of 117 km/h on over 100 days each year. (Photo: Spencer Grant).
Barrow Island, Australia (408 km/h): Barrow Island is home to one of the most important marine reserves in Western Australia and has offshore oil fields in the Pilbara region. The average annual wind speed on the island is only 19 km/h, but it witnessed a tornado with winds of 408 km/h in April 1996. These super-strong winds were driven by Cyclone Olivia. (Photo: Totajla).
Oklahoma City, USA (486 km/h): The fastest wind speed ever recorded on Earth blew through the Bridge Creek area of Oklahoma City. A wind speed of 486 km/h was recorded by a mobile Doppler radar when a tornado struck in May 1999. This is the fastest wind speed according to the Guinness World Records. Oklahoma City has the highest average wind speed at 21 km/h, with early April typically being the time of year with the strongest winds. (Photo: Gerson Repreza).
