High winds aren’t just a concern for coastal regions or tornado-prone areas; they pose a serious threat across industries and geographies, making proactive preparation essential.
For many businesses, weather is just another factor in daily operations—until heavy winds hit. Then, strong gusts can become a force of destruction, shutting down operations, damaging property, and putting people at risk.
The real cost of wind damage
Wind-related disasters may not always grab headlines like hurricanes or wildfires, but their financial toll is staggering. In 2024, the U.S. experienced 27 individual weather and climate disasters, each exceeding $1 billion in damages, according to NOAA. Of these, 11 were severe weather events, and 5 were tropical cyclones.
In Europe, the warning signs are equally clear. In November 2024, historically strong winds posed unprecedented risks to Finland’s west coast, with hurricane-force sustained wind speeds of 33.5 m/s (nearly 75 mph) recorded for the first time. The storm even toppled two 400-kV power line poles, causing rare damage to Finland’s main electricity grid. Just months later, Storm Éowyn battered Ireland and the U.K., with gusts peaking at 183 km/h (114 mph), leaving thousands of households without power for days—a stark reminder that extreme wind events are becoming more frequent.
How strong is too strong? Measuring wind risk
It helps to know how wind threats are categorized. The Beaufort Wind Scale, created in 1805 by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, remains one of the most widely used methods to classify wind speeds and their effects. Ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane-force winds), this scale helps businesses assess risks based on real-world impacts.
Beyond the Beaufort Scale, meteorologists use other measurements, including:
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Categorizes tropical cyclones from Category 1 (74–95 mph) to Category 5 (157+ mph).
Wind Advisories and Warnings: Issued by national weather agencies, these alerts help businesses anticipate and prepare for wind events before they strike.
Critical thresholds, however, vary from industry to industry. For aviation, maritime, and logistics, wind risk management with alerts plays a critical role in operational planning. In some cases, sustained winds above 40 knots (46 mph) trigger passenger rerouting, while gusts exceeding 60 knots (69 mph) could lead to flight cancellations. Similarly, port operators monitor wind direction and speed closely, knowing that certain thresholds—such as 35 mph sustained winds or 45 mph gusts—necessitate halting crane operations or delaying vessel arrivals. Airports use wind forecast alerts up to three days in advance to make strategic rerouting decisions, adjust staffing levels, and prepare ground equipment for high-wind conditions.
Aerial lifts are essential tools in construction and maintenance across many industries, enabling workers to reach elevated areas safely. However, wind conditions play a crucial role in determining whether these lifts can be used. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, if sustained or gusting winds exceed 20 mph at the personnel platform, a qualified person must assess whether it is safe to proceed. If deemed unsafe, the lifting operation must not begin or must be halted if already in progress. While many construction and maintenance tasks can be rescheduled without major consequences, critical operations—such as repairing downed power lines—pose a unique challenge. In such cases, waiting for wind speeds to drop below at least 30 mph may be necessary to ensure worker safety while restoring essential infrastructure. This balancing act between safety and operational urgency highlights the complexities of working in adverse weather conditions.
The business impact of high winds
The consequences of extreme winds are wide-ranging, but the most pressing concerns for businesses include:
Structural damage: From peeling roofs to shattered windows, strong winds can leave buildings in disrepair. Flying debris and fallen trees can add to the destruction, leading to expensive repairs and prolonged closures.
Operational disruptions: Whether it’s a supply chain delay, power outage, curtailed operations, or shut-down site, wind-driven interruptions can mean significant losses in productivity and revenue.
Employee and customer safety: Falling debris, unsecured outdoor equipment, and collapsing structures pose serious risks to people on-site. Businesses must ensure they are prepared to protect employees and customers.
Financial fallout: Insurance claims, regulatory fines, and lost revenue can put a strain on a company’s bottom line. Without a wind risk mitigation plan, businesses may face long-term financial consequences.
Getting ahead of the storm: Mitigating wind risks
While no business can control the weather, you can control how you respond to it. A proactive approach to wind risk management includes:
Conducting risk assessments
Businesses must evaluate their infrastructure, operations, and supply chain to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Identifying weak spots before a storm hits can save time and money down the line.
Strengthening physical assets
Secure or reinforce roofs, windows, and doors.
Anchor outdoor equipment and signage.
Establish a plan for protecting critical infrastructure during storms.
Deploying advanced forecasting tools
Businesses with exposed infrastructure or outdoor operations don’t have to be caught off guard. Xweather Protect provides site-specific wind forecast alerts that help businesses prepare for high-wind events based on their unique operational needs and safety thresholds.
With Xweather Protect, businesses can configure wind alerts based on forecasted sustained winds and gust thresholds up to 72 hours in advance, ensuring they receive targeted, timely notifications before conditions deteriorate. Setting alerts for specific locations and notification methods (such as email and on-screen) enhances situational awareness and decision-making. Additionally, alerts can be configured around shift schedules to coincide with shift handovers, daily briefings, and other site-specific workflows.
For industries where wind is a constant operational factor, a flexible wind warning system—with real-time storm monitoring and automated wind alerting—allows businesses to act before conditions become hazardous.
Developing a business continuity plan
Power backups, remote work contingencies, and emergency response strategies are essential for ensuring operations can resume quickly after a wind event.
Reviewing insurance coverage
A company’s best defense against wind-related losses is a strong insurance policy. Regular reviews with an insurance provider can ensure businesses are adequately covered.
Wind threats are no longer a distant concern; they’re a growing reality for businesses worldwide. But with proper planning, risk assessment, and forecasting tools, companies can transform wind from an unpredictable hazard into a manageable challenge. The question isn’t whether high winds will come—it’s whether businesses will be ready when they do.
