Your phone buzzes, you open your weather app, and you see the words Wind Advisory. It is easy to shrug and think it just means a breezy day. In reality, it is an official alert from the National Weather Service that strong winds are happening or expected and that you should take action to stay safe.
The goal is simple. The advisory tells you that the wind is strong enough to move loose objects, make driving harder, and raise the chance of damage, but not yet at the level of a high wind warning.
What is a wind advisory in the United States?
Across the United States and its territories, local forecast offices issue wind advisories when non-storm winds are expected to reach certain strength levels. These alerts are separate from warnings tied to severe thunderstorms, tropical systems, or winter storms.
Most offices use rules in a similar range. A wind advisory is usually issued when:
- Sustained winds are roughly 31 to 39 miles per hour for at least an hour
- Or gusts reach about 46 to 57 miles per hour for any period
Those exact cutoffs can vary a little by region, but they stay inside that band.
If the forecast climbs higher, into sustained winds around 40 miles per hour or more or gusts of 58 miles per hour or higher, forecasters move from an advisory into a high wind warning instead.
How strong are the winds behind this alert
Winds in the advisory range are strong enough to be a real problem, even though they are below hurricane strength. The National Weather Service Melbourne describes these speeds as a moderate threat to life and property, with very windy conditions and frequent gusts into the 35 to 57 miles per hour range.
Other NWS guidance notes that in an advisory, sustained winds around 30 miles per hour and gusts above about 45 miles per hour can make it hard to drive high-profile vehicles and can blow around unsecured objects.
City and state emergency pages across the country link wind advisories to very practical impacts:
- Downed tree limbs and power lines
- Local power outages
- Debris in roads and slower, more dangerous travel
These patterns show up again and again in local wind advisory updates from California, Alabama, and many other states.
Simple steps to take when a wind advisory is issued
When you see a wind advisory for your area, think of it as a checklist moment. Official safety guidance from NWS offices and emergency agencies recommends steps like these:
- Postpone risky outdoor plans
Skip work on roofs, tall ladders, scaffolding, or other exposed spots during the windiest period. High gusts can knock you off balance or push tools and materials around.
- Secure or bring in loose items
Tie down or move inside things like trash bins, patio chairs, yard decorations, and lightweight building materials. NWS meteorologists regularly warn that loose objects can become airborne in advisory-level winds.
- Plan for possible power outages
Local alerts often connect wind advisories with tree damage and power cuts. Keep flashlights, a charged power bank, and needed medicines where you can reach them.
- Drive with extra care or delay trips
Strong crosswinds make it harder to control high vehicles such as trucks, vans, and SUVs. NWS guidance notes that advisory-level winds can make travel difficult for these vehicles and blow debris into the road. Slow down, use both hands on the wheel, and be ready for sudden gusts on bridges and open highways.
- Stay indoors and away from windows during peak gusts
High wind safety sheets from federal agencies advise moving to interior rooms and staying clear of glass when winds increase. This same advice is used for other high wind situations, such as hurricanes and winter storms.
Where to get trusted wind advisory updates
For any part of the US, the most reliable source for wind advisories is the NWS forecast for your location. Local and territorial emergency offices regularly point residents back to the NWS website and social channels for the latest advisory text.
Many emergency managers and NWS meteorologists also suggest keeping an eye on:
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Local city or county emergency management pages
- Federal resources like Ready.gov for hazard-specific checklists
Before you head out, take 10 seconds to check your local forecast page for any wind advisory that covers your county.
