10 of the windiest cities in America — and they all beat Chicago
Talk about blustery days: These U.S. cities are seriously windy, ranked by Redfin according to their average annual wind speed
Wind is more than background weather chatter. It shapes daily life, affects comfort levels outdoors, and influences where people choose to live. Chicago’s nickname, the “Windy City,” has fostered the idea that it’s the windiest major metro in the U.S. However, measured wind patterns tell a different story.
Redfin’s ranking of the 10 windiest U.S. cities focuses on places with at least 100,000 residents and consistent wind, rather than isolated gusts from storms. This way, the list highlights cities where wind defines daily conditions and climate more reliably.
This list also flips expectations: Chicago doesn’t make the cut among the top 10. Despite the urban lore behind its nickname, measured wind speeds there are simply not high enough to crack Redfin’s ranking.
Here are 10 of the windiest cities in the U.S.
2 / 11
Amarillo, Texas
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Amarillo tops the list with the highest average annual wind speed among major cities, a product of its location in the flat Southwestern Great Plains.
3 / 11
Rochester, Minnesota
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Rochester sits second, beating out nearby Chicago with consistent year-round wind and occasional derecho events that boost its averages.
4 / 11
Lubbock, Texas
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Lubbock’s flat, dry landscape allows storm-driven and pressure-instability winds to sweep through, earning it the third highest wind ranking.
5 / 11
Corpus Christi, Texas
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Corpus Christi’s Gulf of Mexico exposure gives it steady wind, with the city recording some of the strongest gusts on the list.
6 / 11
Wichita, Kansas
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Wichita’s spring and summer storms help drive it into the top five, with strong thunderstorm winds pushing its annual average higher.
7 / 11
Boston, Massachusetts
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Boston stands out as the only East Coast city in the ranking, with persistent winds from the North Atlantic and seasonal nor’easters influencing its figures.
8 / 11
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Oklahoma City’s flat surroundings and regular storm activity contribute to its high average wind speeds.
9 / 11
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Wichita Falls continues the Texas presence with frequent thunderstorm-driven winds and plains conditions that elevate its average speed.
10 / 11
Fargo, North Dakota
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Fargo’s extreme flatness and pressure variability lead to strong, persistent wind that keeps it near the top of the list.
11 / 11
Abilene, Texas
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Abilene completes the ranking with reliable wind driven by flat terrain and summer storms.