Table 1.  Wind Classes for Wind Energy Characterization

Average Annual Wind Speed (Miles per Hour)

Wind Class

Above 14.5

                6+

13.4-14.5

                5

12.4-13.4

                4

Source: Pacific Northwest Laboratory, An Assessment of Available Windy Land Area and Wind Energy Potential in the Contiguous United States, PNL-7789 (August 1991).