What is National Big Wind Day?
On April 12th, National Big Wind Day in the United States observes the detection of the world's highest natural wind gust measured on the Earth's surface, which is observed each year in the United States. The Mount Washington Observatory in 1934 recorded winds at 231 miles per hour on the afternoon of April 12, 1934.
Mount Washington, at 6,288 ft, is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, and it is the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River.
Observers Wendell Stephenson, Alexander McKenzie, and Salvadore Pagliuca reported the wind gusts from Mount Washington Observatory in 1934. The record has also stood for many decades. The observers returned to the observatory in 1984 to commemorate the record-breaking wind's 50th anniversary. Then was awarded the big wind award from atop Mount Washington in 1996. With wind gusts of up to 256 mph, a typhoon struck a small island off the coast of Australia.
