Guilford County North Carolina | 100-110 mph Design Wind Speed | Piedmont Triad Region | UNCG & NC A&T | Exposure Category B Urban | NC State Building Code
Calculate Greensboro Wind Loads Now →Greensboro, located in Guilford County, North Carolina, is the third-largest city in North Carolina and the anchor of the Piedmont Triad region. Greensboro requires a design wind speed of approximately 100-110 mph (3-second gust) for Risk Category II structures, based on ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and the city's inland Piedmont location.
As a major Piedmont city situated between the Appalachian Mountains to the west and the Atlantic coastal plain to the east, Greensboro faces moderate wind load requirements compared to coastal North Carolina cities. The city is home to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and North Carolina A&T State University, with a rich textile manufacturing heritage and civil rights history. All Greensboro building permits must comply with the North Carolina State Building Code, which adopts the International Building Code (IBC) with state-specific amendments.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 100-110 mph (3-second gust, Piedmont region)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~110-120 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~120-130 mph
Exposure Category: B (urban/suburban - most of Greensboro)
Building Code: North Carolina State Building Code (adopts IBC)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22
County: Guilford County
Region: Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point)
Notable Features: Textile heritage, civil rights history, UNCG, NC A&T
Greensboro's 100-110 mph design wind speed for Risk Category II structures reflects the city's Piedmont location in central North Carolina, approximately 200 miles inland from the Atlantic coast. This velocity is significantly lower than coastal North Carolina cities like Wilmington (130-140 mph) or the Outer Banks (150+ mph), but still accounts for severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and remnants of tropical systems that can affect the Piedmont region.
The Piedmont region of North Carolina, where Greensboro is located, sits at elevations of 700-900 feet above sea level with rolling terrain. While the city does not face direct hurricane impacts like coastal areas, tropical storm remnants occasionally bring damaging winds to the region. The design wind speed accounts for:
Greensboro serves as one of three anchor cities in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region (along with Winston-Salem and High Point). The city's geography influences wind load considerations:
While Greensboro does not experience direct hurricane landfalls due to its inland location, tropical system remnants occasionally bring significant wind and flooding to the Piedmont Triad:
Hurricane Hugo Remnants (1989): After making landfall in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane, Hugo's remnants brought 40-50 mph winds and heavy rain to Greensboro, causing power outages and tree damage
Hurricane Fran (1996): Fran's remnants produced sustained winds of 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph in Greensboro, causing extensive tree damage and prolonged power outages across the Piedmont
Hurricane Floyd (1999): Floyd brought catastrophic flooding to eastern North Carolina with moderate wind impacts in the Greensboro area
Hurricane Isabel (2003): Isabel's remnants brought tropical storm-force winds to the Piedmont, including Greensboro, with widespread power outages
Hurricane Florence (2018): While primarily a coastal and eastern NC event, Florence's remnants brought heavy rain to the Piedmont with minimal wind impact
Calculating wind loads for Greensboro projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology with North Carolina State Building Code requirements. The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For a typical Greensboro project with V = 105 mph (mid-range Piedmont velocity) and Exposure B urban conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate compared to coastal areas. A Greensboro project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 21.5 psf—substantially lower than coastal North Carolina but still requiring proper structural design for Piedmont wind conditions.
Greensboro projects typically qualify for Exposure Category B due to the city's substantial urban development and tree coverage. However, engineers must evaluate exposure based on project-specific conditions:
The majority of Greensboro projects qualify for the less conservative Exposure B classification due to the city's dense urban fabric, extensive tree canopy, and substantial building coverage throughout residential and commercial areas.
Greensboro projects must be classified into Risk Categories per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1. Higher risk categories require increased design wind speeds:
| Risk Category | Greensboro Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~95-100 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 100-110 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~110-120 mph | Schools, colleges (UNCG, NC A&T), assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~120-130 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, emergency operations centers |
Greensboro operates under the North Carolina State Building Code, which is administered by the North Carolina Department of Insurance - Office of State Fire Marshal. The NC Building Code adopts the International Building Code (IBC) with North Carolina-specific amendments:
Greensboro's identity as a former textile manufacturing center and modern education hub influences its building landscape:
Textile Heritage: Greensboro was a major textile manufacturing center in the 20th century, with many historic mill buildings now repurposed for commercial and residential use
Civil Rights History: The 1960 Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins in downtown Greensboro were pivotal events in the American civil rights movement
Higher Education: UNCG and NC A&T State University are major institutional presences requiring Risk Category III design for academic buildings and assembly facilities
Piedmont Triad Region: Greensboro forms part of the Piedmont Triad metro area with Winston-Salem and High Point, creating a substantial regional economic center
Greensboro uses zip codes in the 27401-27499 range. Wind speeds are relatively consistent across the city due to similar Piedmont elevation and urban density:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically determines the correct design wind speed when you enter any Greensboro or Guilford County zip code or street address, referencing ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and eliminating manual map interpolation.
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Greensboro/Guilford County requirements including the 100-110 mph Piedmont design velocity, Exposure Category B urban determination, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Greensboro project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Greensboro Wind Loads Now →All wind load calculations for Greensboro building permits must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in North Carolina. The NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors regulates engineering practice in the state. Sealed calculations must include:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Greensboro wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Greensboro-specific requirements:
It's critical for engineers to understand the substantial difference between Piedmont and coastal North Carolina wind load requirements:
| Location | Design Wind Speed (Risk Cat II) | Typical Exposure | Hurricane Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro (Piedmont) | 100-110 mph | Exposure B (urban) | Low - remnants only |
| Charlotte (Piedmont) | 100-115 mph | Exposure B (urban) | Low - remnants only |
| Raleigh (Piedmont) | 110-120 mph | Exposure B (urban) | Moderate - stronger remnants |
| Wilmington (Coastal) | 130-140 mph | Exposure C (coastal) | High - direct hurricane exposure |
| Outer Banks (Coastal) | 150-160 mph | Exposure C/D (coastal) | Extreme - barrier islands |
Greensboro is part of the larger Piedmont Triad metropolitan area. Wind load requirements are similar across the Triad cities:
All three Triad cities share similar Piedmont geography, elevation, and urban density, resulting in comparable wind load requirements and typical Exposure B classifications for urban projects.
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Greensboro and Guilford County projects. Our software automatically handles the 100-110 mph Piedmont velocity, Exposure Category B urban determination, and generates PE-ready reports for North Carolina building permit submission.
Try Greensboro Wind Load Calculator →