Urban Microclimate Wind – Learn About Wind Microclimate Around Buildings

If you’re a gardener, you are no doubt familiar with microclimates. It may have struck you how differently things grow at your friend’s home across town and how she may have rain one day while your landscape remains bone dry.

All of these differences are the result of numerous factors that affect a property. In urban settings, microclimate swings can be severe as a result of increased temperatures which create high wind microclimates around buildings. 

About Urban Microclimate Wind

Interestingly, urban microclimate wind speeds are usually less than surrounding rural areas. That said, because of the topography of a high-rise downtown corridor, microclimate wind speeds can also exceed those found in rural areas.

Tall buildings disturb airflow. They may deflect or slow high winds, which is why urban areas are generally less windy then rural regions. The thing is, this doesn’t account for pronounced gusts. An urban skyline creates surface roughness that often results in strong currents of wind that are funneled between buildings.

Winds drag on tall buildings and, in turn, create turbulence that changes both the speed and direction of wind. Unstable pressure builds between the side of the building that faces the prevailing wind and the side that is sheltered from the wind. The result is severe swirls of wind.

When buildings are set close together, winds soar over them but when buildings are set farther apart, there isn’t anything stopping them, which can result in sudden high urban wind speeds, creating mini tornadoes of litter and knocking people over.

The wind microclimate around buildings is the result of the layout of the buildings. High wind microclimates are created when buildings are built on a grid which creates wind tunnels where winds can pick up speed. A perfect example is Chicago, aka the Windy City, which is notorious for its sudden urban microclimate wind speeds that are the result of its grid system of buildings.

How does this affect urban gardeners? These microclimates from wind can adversely affect plants grown in these areas. Gardens located on balconies, rooftops, and even narrow side streets and alleyways need to be carefully considered prior to planting. Depending on the specific microclimate, you may need to use wind tolerant plants or those that can specifically handle heat or cold temps brought about by wind conditions.