The summit of Mount Washington is home to some of the most intense weather on the planet. In the second year of the Mount Washington Observatory’s existence, it recorded world-record wind speeds of 231mph. That record no longer stands, but the “Big Wind” on April 12, 1934 is still the fastest wind speed ever recorded by a staffed weather station.
Wind speeds still reach unbelievable peaks at the mountain’s summit and winds above 100mph aren’t uncommon, so the staff in the observatory put together a video showing what different high wind speeds feel like and it’s wild.
According to the National Weather Service, wind speeds above 75mph are considered hurricane force. At those highest speeds, the wind can easily tear the roof off a house, uproot trees, or overturn small mobile homes. As you can see in the video, 100mph winds are easily strong enough to knock someone off their feet.