Directional characteristics of potentially damaging wind gusts in the southeast United States

Annual estimated storm damage in the United States is seven billion dollars. Much of that damage is caused by tree blowover that is induced by high wind gusts. The prevailing directions of these wind gusts dictate the zones around structures in which trees may potentially fall and cause damage. To gain a better understanding of hazardous wind gusts, this research examines the directional component of wind gusts in the Southeast United States. Regional patterns of wind gusts are identified and tied to atmospheric and terrestrial patterns. Results indicate the following: (1) gusts along the northeast coast of the study area are bidirectional, being from the northeast and southwest; (2) the southeast coast has a predominantly westerly component to the gusts with little impact from the east, (3) the Piedmont is strongly influenced by westerly gusts, but an easterly component increases gradually to the northeast; and (4) high gusts in the mountains demonstrate a strong relationship with the regional and local topographic characteristics.