Weather Tidbits: How Much Wind to Move an Object?

This edition of Weather Tidbits discusses how to approximate the minimum wind speed needed to move an object laterally (or sideways). This can be answered by using the equation Wind=√[195*{weight(lbs)/area(sq.ft.)}]. Quick reminder that the square root of a number is a number which produces a specified quantity when multiplied by itself. Using this equation, we can determine the minimum wind speed. For example, if a 96 galloon garbage can weighs 37 pounds with an area of 9.1 square feet, the wind would have to be at least 28 mph to move it laterally. Another example using this equation will show that a car weighing 2,871 pounds with an area of 69 square feet would require at least 90 mph winds to move it laterally.