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Are you looking for windy places for a specific purpose, like windsurfing, kiteboarding, or just extreme weather experiences?
I went through the internet and looked for the best locations where the wind is strongest. If you are looking for the windiest places in Europe, here are some top locations known for strong winds.
Since I live in Europe, these are the first ones I have in mind. But I am constantly looking for other locations around the world, and I look forward to sharing my findings with you!
Of course, strong winds and storms can occur anywhere, but in Europe, these are the places where air pressure equalization can occur most often.
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Locations in Hungary
While Hungary doesn’t have extreme wind speeds compared to coastal countries, its plains, mountain regions, and border areas experience frequent strong winds.
🇬🇧 Locations in the UK
Cairngorm Summit, Scotland:
High-altitude mountain environment with extreme wind speeds. The Cairngorms hold the record for the strongest wind gust recorded, with an official measurement of 278 km/h on March 20, 1986.
Sumburgh Head and Shetland Island:
This headland is known for its powerful winds and dramatic seascapes, making it a notable windy location.
Mount Snowdon, Wales:
Regularly experiences hurricane-force winds at its summit.
🇮🇸 Locations in Iceland
(Entire Country) Iceland’s combination of oceanic and Arctic air masses results in strong winds year-round.
Stórhöfði:
Often cited as the windiest place in Europe, this headland experiences frequent and intense winds.
ReykjavÃk:
Iceland’s capital is known for its windy conditions, influenced by its North Atlantic location.
🇳🇱 Locations in Netherlands
Amsterdam:
Due to its coastal location and flat landscape, Amsterdam often experiences strong winds, especially during the winter months.
🇩🇪 Locations in Germany
Hamburg:
Located near the North Sea, Hamburg experiences frequent winds, particularly during the autumn and winter months.
Munich:
Experiences windy conditions, particularly during the autumn and winter months.
🇫🇷 Locations in France
Brittany Coast:
The Mistral Wind Region. A strong, cold wind that blows through the Rhône Valley towards the Mediterranean.
The rugged coastline of Brittany sees intense winds from the Atlantic, especially during winter storms.
Toulon:
Toulon experiences 115 days of strong winds annually, influenced by winds such as the Mistral and the Tramontane.
🇩🇰 Locations in Denmark
The Faroe Islands:
High winds are common year-round due to the islands’ exposure to the North Atlantic.
Copenhagen:
Situated by the sea, Copenhagen experiences frequent windy conditions, particularly during the autumn and winter seasons.
🇫🇮 Locations in Finland
Finland experiences strong winds due to its coastal exposure to the Baltic Sea, numerous lakes, and open flat terrain. The strongest winds are typically found along the coastline, islands, and high-altitude areas. Winter storms can bring powerful gusts, especially in Lapland and the Gulf of Bothnia region.
🇮🇹 Locations in Italy
Italy experiences strong winds due to its diverse geography, including mountain ranges, coastal regions, and large valleys. The country is affected by several powerful regional winds.
Lake Como:
Known for strong thermal winds like the “Breva” and “Tivano,” making it a hotspot for wind sports.
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia & 🇲🇪 Montenegro
Both Croatia and Montenegro are known for their strong coastal winds, particularly the Bora (Bura) and Sirocco (Jugo) winds. These winds can reach hurricane-force speeds, especially in winter.
🇲🇰 Locations in North Macedonia
North Macedonia, a landlocked Balkan country, experiences strong winds due to its mountainous terrain and valleys. The country is influenced by Bora, Vardarec, and Jugo winds, which can bring extreme gusts, especially in winter.
🇮🇪 Locations in Ireland
Ireland is one of the windiest countries in Europe, heavily influenced by Atlantic storms and the jet stream. Coastal areas and high-altitude regions experience the strongest winds, especially during winter storms.
🇪🇸 Locations in Spain
Spain has several extremely windy regions, especially in coastal areas, mountain ranges, and wind corridors. The country experiences strong Atlantic and Mediterranean winds, along with powerful regional wind systems like the Tramontana, Levante, and Cierzo.
Cape Finisterre:
Located on the Atlantic coast of Galicia, this cape is constantly battered by strong winds from the ocean.
This region attracts wind energy developers due to its consistently strong winds, although legal battles have impacted wind farm developments.
🇪🇪 Locations in Estonia
Estonia, located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, experiences strong coastal winds, especially in autumn and winter. The windiest places are found on the western islands, coastal areas, and open plains.
Tallinn:
The capital city has an average annual wind speed of 3.3 m/s (10.8 ft/s), with winters being the windiest season.
🇵🇹 Locations in Portugal
Portugal experiences strong winds year-round, especially along the Atlantic coast, mountains, and islands. The country is heavily influenced by Atlantic storms, trade winds, and local thermal effects
Cabo da Roca:
As the westernmost point of mainland Europe, this cape experiences consistent winds, especially during the summer months.