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Wind Speed Datasets

The Calcs.com GIS API provides access to authoritative wind speed maps for structural engineering design, covering both US and European standards.

US Wind Data (ASCE 7-16)

Risk Category Datasets

ASCE 7-16 defines four risk categories based on building occupancy and consequences of failure. We provide separate datasets for each:

Dataset	Risk Category	Description	Typical Buildings
us_wind_asce7_16_rc1	I	Low hazard	Agricultural, minor storage
us_wind_asce7_16_rc2	II	Standard occupancy	Most buildings, residences
us_wind_asce7_16_rc3	III	Substantial hazard	Schools, jails, power plants
us_wind_asce7_16_rc4	IV	Essential facilities	Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters

Try it: See the Contour API Reference for request/response examples.

Data Specifications

• Standard: ASCE 7-16 Chapter 26
• Return Period: Varies by Risk Category (300-1700 years)
• Units: mph (can request in m/s, km/h)
• Coverage: Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
• Resolution: Contour-based with interpolation

European Wind Data

Available Datasets

Dataset	Country	Standard	Description
spain_wind	Spain	CTE DB SE-AE	Basic wind velocity map
dk_base_wind_speed	Denmark	DS/EN 1991-1-4 DK NA	Fundamental basic wind velocity
gb_base_wind_speed	United Kingdom	BS EN 1991-1-4 UK NA	Basic wind velocity
ke_base_wind_speed	Kenya	KS EN 1991-1-4	Fundamental wind velocity
no_base_wind_speed	Norway	NS-EN 1991-1-4 NA	Basic wind speed
se_base_wind_speed	Sweden	SS-EN 1991-1-4	Basic wind velocity

Note: For Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway), use the Region API as wind speeds are defined by geographic zones. For other European countries, use the Contour API.

Data Specifications

• Standard: EN 1991-1-4 with National Annexes
• Return Period: 50 years (typical)
• Units: m/s (can request in mph, km/h)
• Terrain: Open country terrain category II
• Height: 10m above ground level

API Endpoints

Endpoint	Use Case	API Reference
/gis/environmental_loads	Recommended - Get all wind data for a location automatically	Environmental Loads API
/gis/contour	Get specific wind speed from contour interpolation (US, UK, Spain, Denmark, Kenya)	Contour API
/gis/region	Get wind region data (Sweden, Norway)	Region API

Tip: The /gis/environmental_loads endpoint automatically determines whether to use contour interpolation or region lookup based on the location. It's the simplest way to get wind data.

Understanding the Data

Interpolation Method

The /gis/contour endpoint uses linear interpolation:

1. Finds the two nearest contour lines
2. Calculates distance-weighted average
3. Returns interpolated value

For locations in flat regions (single contour), that contour value is returned.

Unit Conversion

Wind speeds can be requested in multiple units:

• mph - Miles per hour (US standard)
• m/s - Meters per second (SI, Eurocode)
• km/h - Kilometers per hour
• kts - Knots (some maritime codes)

Design Considerations

ASCE 7-16

• Basic wind speeds are 3-second gust
• Apply exposure, topographic, and directionality factors
• Consider wind-borne debris regions (hurricane zones)

Eurocode EN 1991-1-4

• Basic velocities are 10-minute mean values
• Apply terrain, orography, and structural factors
• Check National Annex for local modifications

Data Sources

• ASCE 7-16: Based on ASCE 7-16 wind speed maps
• Eurocode: National meteorological services and standards bodies
• Updates: Datasets updated when new code editions are published

Related Documentation

• Environmental Loads API - Recommended unified endpoint
• Contour API - Direct contour interpolation
• Region API - Region-based lookups
• Regional Datasets - Snow and other regional data