In These Counties, the Wind Speed Is Increasing Far More Than Other Places

By Hristina  •  June 18, 2026
brown leafless tree under blue sky during daytime
Photo by Kurt Cotoaga on Unsplash

After decades of decline, average wind speeds are rising again. While scientists once blamed global stilling on land-based changes like taller buildings and increased surface drag, researchers have found that long-standing ocean-atmosphere oscillations – invisible tides of pressure and temperature swinging over decades – may be a larger causal factor in changing wind speeds.

New data shows that changes in wind speeds around the world are far from uniform, and have a complex relationship with rising temperatures. A changing climate may mean faster winds in some areas and slower winds in others. Even in the United States, there is high variability, with wind speeds rising in portions of the South and Ohio Valley and falling in portions of the Northeast. A look at historic wind gust data reveals the counties where wind speeds are rising the fastest.

To determine the counties where wind speeds are rising the fastest, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on historical wind patterns from the Storm Prediction Center of the NOAA’s National Weather Service. Counties were ranked based on the average annual change in the speed of wind gust events from 1950 to 2023. Only counties with at least 10 reported wind gust events were considered.

a red object on a pole
Photo by Andrew Dawes on Unsplash

10. Schleicher County, TX

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.41 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 67.40 mph
  • County seat: Eldorado

9. Warrick County, IN

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.41 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 64.90 mph
  • County seat: Boonville

8. Decatur County, TN

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.45 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 62.63 mph
  • County seat: Decaturville

7. Edwards County, TX

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.47 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 62.46 mph
  • County seat: Rocksprings

6. East Feliciana Parish, LA

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.47 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 61.50 mph
  • County seat: Clinton

5. Dallas County, AR

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.48 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 61.19 mph
  • County seat: Fordyce

4. Austin County, TX

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.49 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 64.54 mph
  • County seat: Bellville

3. Menominee County, WI

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.52 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 62.19 mph
  • County seat: Keshena

2. Madison County, AR

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.52 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 67.22 mph
  • County seat: Huntsville

1. St. Helena Parish, LA

  • Avg. annual increase in wind gust speed, 1950-2023: +0.93 mph per year
  • Avg. speed of wind gust events: 62.78 mph
  • County seat: Greensburg

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