Nassau & Suffolk Counties NY | 115-130 mph Design Wind Speed | New York State Building Code | Exposure Category C Coastal/B Inland | ASCE 7-22
Calculate Long Island Wind Loads Now →Long Island encompasses Nassau County and Suffolk County in New York State, forming a 118-mile-long Atlantic-exposed island with diverse wind load requirements. Long Island requires design wind speeds ranging from approximately 115-130 mph (3-second gust) for Risk Category II structures, based on ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and location-specific exposure to Atlantic hurricanes, nor'easters, and Long Island Sound weather systems.
Long Island is governed by the New York State Building Code, which adopts the International Building Code (IBC) with New York State-specific amendments and references ASCE 7-22 for wind load calculations. The island's unique geography—Atlantic Ocean to the south, Long Island Sound to the north, barrier beaches, the Hamptons luxury market, and post-Superstorm Sandy construction standards—creates complex structural engineering challenges requiring careful analysis of wind speeds, exposure categories, and coastal vulnerability.
Counties: Nassau County, Suffolk County
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 115-130 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~130-145 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~140-155 mph
Exposure Category: C (oceanfront/Sound areas), B (inland neighborhoods)
Building Code: New York State Building Code (adopts IBC with amendments)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22
Notable Areas: The Hamptons, Fire Island, Jones Beach, Montauk
Long Island's design wind speeds of 115-130 mph are derived from ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps for the New York coastal region. This velocity range accounts for the island's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes and powerful nor'easter systems while recognizing that wind speeds vary significantly based on location—from the exposed South Shore barrier beaches and the Hamptons to the more protected North Shore along Long Island Sound and inland suburban areas.
The exact wind speed for a specific Long Island project depends on precise location. South Shore oceanfront areas (Fire Island, Jones Beach, Hamptons beaches, Montauk) typically require the higher end of the range (125-130 mph) due to direct Atlantic exposure and barrier beach vulnerability. North Shore areas along Long Island Sound (North Fork, Shelter Island) generally require moderate velocities (120-125 mph). Inland Nassau County and western Suffolk County locations may use the lower end (115-120 mph). The WindLoadCalc.com calculator automatically determines the correct velocity based on your project's zip code or address.
Long Island's unique geography significantly influences wind load requirements:
Calculating wind loads for Long Island projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology with New York State Building Code requirements. The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For a typical Long Island South Shore oceanfront project with V = 125 mph and Exposure C conditions, the resulting pressures are substantial and require proper structural design. A Fire Island or Hamptons oceanfront project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 36.5 psf—substantial pressures requiring careful engineering and post-Sandy construction standards.
Long Island has experienced devastating hurricane and storm impacts that inform current wind load requirements:
These historic storms demonstrate that Long Island faces substantial hurricane and wind risks requiring rigorous structural design and post-Sandy elevated construction standards, particularly for barrier beach and oceanfront properties.
South Shore/Atlantic (Fire Island, Hamptons, Jones Beach, Montauk): Design wind speed 125-130 mph, Exposure Category C required, direct ocean exposure, highest vulnerability
North Shore/Long Island Sound (North Fork, Shelter Island): Design wind speed 120-125 mph, Exposure Category C (waterfront) or B (inland), moderate Sound exposure
Inland (Nassau County, Western Suffolk): Design wind speed 115-120 mph, Exposure Category B typically applies, substantial development provides sheltering
Key Takeaway: Long Island projects require careful location-specific wind speed determination based on Atlantic, Sound, or inland exposure
Long Island 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 | Long Island Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~110-125 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 115-130 mph | Residential, commercial, hotels, most standard occupancies (Hamptons homes, beach houses) |
| Risk Category III | ~130-145 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~140-155 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, essential facilities |
Long Island projects require careful exposure category determination based on location and surrounding terrain:
Engineers must carefully evaluate exposure categories for Long Island projects, particularly for sites near the transition between oceanfront and inland areas. Improper exposure category selection can significantly affect calculated wind pressures and structural safety.
Long Island encompasses Nassau and Suffolk Counties with zip codes in the 11000-11999 range. Wind speeds vary significantly by location:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically determines the correct wind speed and exposure category recommendations when you enter any Long Island zip code or address, using ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and local terrain analysis.
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Long Island requirements including location-specific wind velocities (115-130 mph range), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Long Island project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Long Island Wind Loads Now →All wind load calculations for Long Island building permits must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in New York State. The sealed calculations must include:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Long Island wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Long Island-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Long Island projects. Our software automatically handles location-specific wind velocities (115-130 mph), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission to Nassau or Suffolk County.
Try Long Island Wind Load Calculator →