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Mean wind speed, monthly profiles, and energy potential at 47.61°N, 122.33°W
Average wind speed at 100m hub height for each month of the year.
Seattle experiences peak winds during December (5.88 m/s) with lowest speeds in July (4.01 m/s). The seasonal pattern shows strong winter and spring winds with calmer summer conditions.
The ratio between peak and minimum monthly wind speed is 1.47, indicating significant seasonal variation. Energy production will be notably higher during windy months, which should be factored into PPA pricing and revenue projections.
Wind speed increases with height due to reduced surface friction. Modern turbines typically operate at 80-120m hub height.
| Height | Wind Speed (m/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10m | 3.19 | Standard measurement height |
| 50m | 4.31 | Small/distributed turbines |
| 80m | 4.71 | Mid-size turbines |
| 100m | 4.91 | Modern utility-scale turbines |
Washington ranks #16 nationally for wind energy capacity, making it a significant contributor to US wind energy production. The state's Columbia Basin and Cascade foothills define its wind resource characteristics across different regions and elevations.
Washington has approximately 2.3 GW of installed wind capacity, with additional projects in various stages of development. The state continues to attract wind energy investment due to its favorable resource conditions and supportive policy environment.
Washington's diverse geography — from coastal areas to interior valleys and mountain passes — creates varied wind regimes. Coastal and mountain pass sites tend to offer the strongest and most consistent wind resources, driven by differential heating and large-scale atmospheric circulation.
The mean wind speed in Seattle, Washington is 4.91 m/s at 100m hub height, 4.71 m/s at 80m, and 3.19 m/s at 10m. Wind power density at this location is 72.6 W/m², classified as IEC Wind Class IV.
Seattle has a wind quality rating of "Low" based on its mean wind speed of 4.91 m/s at hub height. This location has limited wind resources for large-scale development, but distributed or small-scale wind may be viable. Peak winds occur in December (5.88 m/s) with lowest speeds in July (4.01 m/s).
Small or distributed wind turbines may be most appropriate for this site. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) or small horizontal axis turbines designed for low-wind environments should be evaluated for site-specific conditions.
Based on the mean wind speed near Seattle, a modern 3 MW turbine could produce approximately 4.7 GWh per year (capacity factor ~18%). That is enough to power roughly 450 average American homes. A 100 MW wind farm at this location could generate approximately 156 GWh annually, worth $5463.2M at $35/MWh wholesale electricity prices.
Explore wind data for nearby cities, sorted by wind quality.