National Weather ServiceWind AdvisoryVTEC WI.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Wind Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 1,816 wind advisories in 2025 and 1,844 a year on average in 2008-2025; California, Texas and New Mexico got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 1,074, 16% below the average of 1,285 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a wind advisory?
A wind advisory means winds strong enough to blow loose objects around and make driving difficult, below high wind warning values. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many wind advisories a year?
National count: each wind advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1,076 |
| 2025 | 1,816 |
| 2024 | 1,885 |
| 2023 | 1,779 |
| 2022 | 2,147 |
| 2021 | 1,678 |
| 2020 | 1,832 |
| 2019 | 1,683 |
| 2018 | 1,534 |
| 2017 | 1,757 |
| 2016 | 1,716 |
| 2015 | 1,289 |
| 2014 | 1,859 |
| 2013 | 1,704 |
| 2012 | 2,137 |
| 2011 | 2,183 |
| 2010 | 1,939 |
| 2009 | 1,854 |
| 2008 | 2,405 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most wind advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A wind advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 386 | 343 | 327 |
| Texas | 195 | 194 | 166 |
| New Mexico | 110 | 97 | 80 |
| South Dakota | 90 | 77 | 86 |
| Oregon | 76 | 72 | 68 |
| Washington | 76 | 71 | 83 |
| Nevada | 72 | 79 | 74 |
| Arizona | 70 | 72 | 62 |
| Minnesota | 68 | 59 | 91 |
| North Carolina | 62 | 70 | 67 |
| Idaho | 59 | 63 | 53 |
| Virginia | 56 | 58 | 61 |
| New York | 56 | 55 | 90 |
| Tennessee | 56 | 54 | 46 |
| Iowa | 55 | 53 | 66 |
| West Virginia | 55 | 46 | 76 |
| Oklahoma | 54 | 49 | 50 |
| Missouri | 54 | 53 | 57 |
| Kansas | 53 | 95 | 47 |
| Florida | 51 | 39 | 34 |
| Indiana | 47 | 43 | 51 |
| Alaska | 47 | 65 | 48 |
| Louisiana | 47 | 37 | 47 |
| Illinois | 46 | 38 | 56 |
| Utah | 46 | 41 | 37 |
| Arkansas | 46 | 40 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 40 | 64 |
| North Dakota | 44 | 43 | 48 |
| Michigan | 39 | 38 | 53 |
| Alabama | 38 | 39 | 24 |
| Georgia | 37 | 38 | 27 |
| Montana | 34 | 34 | 39 |
| Mississippi | 34 | 37 | 31 |
| Maryland | 32 | 34 | 41 |
| Kentucky | 32 | 31 | 33 |
| Massachusetts | 31 | 37 | 42 |
| Ohio | 30 | 31 | 29 |
| Maine | 26 | 26 | 25 |
| Hawaii | 25 | 35 | 17 |
| Nebraska | 24 | 64 | 25 |
| Connecticut | 24 | 26 | 34 |
| Wisconsin | 22 | 21 | 26 |
| New Jersey | 20 | 21 | 29 |
| Vermont | 20 | 18 | 35 |
| Colorado | 17 | 24 | 18 |
| South Carolina | 15 | 16 | 13 |
| New Hampshire | 13 | 14 | 18 |
| Delaware | 12 | 11 | 19 |
| Rhode Island | 12 | 17 | 12 |
| District of Columbia | 9 | 7 | 13 |
| Puerto Rico | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Wyoming | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.