Also known as: 3-second gust, peak gust wind speed
Why 3 seconds matters
Structural failures often occur during brief gusts rather than sustained winds. The 3-second window captures the load a typical wall assembly actually sees during the worst moment of a tornado passage.
Authority: NWS, ASCE 7. Last reviewed 2026-06-07.
Looking for prices instead of definitions? See current price ranges or get matched with installers.