Monroe County New York | 100-110 mph Design Wind Speed | New York State Building Code (IBC) | Exposure Category B Urban/C Near Lake Ontario | ASCE 7-22 | Finger Lakes Region
Calculate Rochester Wind Loads Now →Rochester is located in Monroe County, New York, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in the Finger Lakes region. As the third-largest city in New York State, Rochester has moderate wind load requirements appropriate for its Great Lakes location and inland position. Rochester 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 exposure to lake-effect winds, extratropical systems, and occasional severe thunderstorms.
Rochester is governed by the New York State Building Code (NYSBC), which adopts the International Building Code (IBC) and references ASCE 7-22 for wind load calculations. The city's position on Lake Ontario's southern shore, legacy as home to Kodak and Xerox, and proximity to the Genesee River gorge create unique structural engineering considerations requiring careful analysis of wind speeds, exposure categories, and topographic effects from lake influence.
County: Monroe County
Region: Finger Lakes, Western New York
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 100-110 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~110-120 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~120-130 mph
Exposure Category: B (urban areas), C (Lake Ontario waterfront)
Building Code: New York State Building Code (NYSBC, adopts IBC)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22
Notable Features: Lake Ontario, Genesee River, High Falls, Kodak/Xerox heritage, Lilac Festival
Rochester's design wind speeds of 100-110 mph are derived from ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps for the Western New York and Lake Ontario region. This velocity range accounts for the city's exposure to lake-effect weather systems, extratropical storms tracking across the Great Lakes, and severe thunderstorm complexes, while recognizing that Rochester experiences lower wind speeds than coastal regions due to its inland position and substantial urban development providing wind sheltering.
The exact wind speed for a specific Rochester project depends on precise location. Areas immediately adjacent to Lake Ontario shoreline (Ontario Beach Park, Charlotte, Lake Ontario State Parkway) typically require the higher end of the range (105-110 mph) due to direct lake exposure and reduced terrain roughness, while inland urban areas (downtown Rochester, Park Avenue, East Avenue historic districts) may use the lower end (100-105 mph) due to substantial urban development. The WindLoadCalc.com calculator automatically determines the correct velocity based on your project's zip code or address.
Rochester's unique geography and climate significantly influence wind load requirements:
Calculating wind loads for Rochester 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 Rochester urban project with V = 105 mph and Exposure B conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate and typical of inland northern cities. A downtown Rochester project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 20.0 psf—moderate pressures typical of northern inland cities, significantly lower than coastal regions but requiring proper engineering for wind resistance.
Rochester's wind load requirements are primarily driven by extratropical weather systems and lake-effect conditions rather than tropical cyclones:
The ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps account for all these weather phenomena using statistical analysis of historical wind records to determine appropriate design velocities for Rochester's climate and geographic position.
Lake Ontario Waterfront (Charlotte, Ontario Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard): Design wind speed 105-110 mph, Exposure Category C typically required, direct lake exposure with reduced terrain roughness
Urban Rochester (Downtown, Park Avenue, East Avenue): Design wind speed 100-105 mph, Exposure Category B appropriate, substantial urban development provides wind sheltering
Inland Suburban Areas (Pittsford, Henrietta, Greece): Design wind speed 100-105 mph, Exposure Category B typical, residential/commercial development with trees
Key Takeaway: Rochester projects require location-specific wind speed and exposure category determination based on proximity to Lake Ontario and urban development density
Rochester 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 | Rochester Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~95-105 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 100-110 mph | Residential, commercial, hotels, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~110-120 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials, University of Rochester facilities |
| Risk Category IV | ~120-130 mph | Hospitals (Strong Memorial, Rochester General), fire stations, emergency shelters, police facilities |
Rochester projects require careful exposure category determination based on location and surrounding terrain:
Engineers must carefully evaluate exposure categories for Rochester projects, particularly for sites near the transition between urban areas and Lake Ontario waterfront. The 2020 New York State Building Code provides specific guidance on exposure category determination. Improper exposure category selection can significantly affect calculated wind pressures and structural design.
Rochester uses zip codes in the 14600-14699 range. Wind speeds vary slightly by location:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically determines the correct wind speed and exposure category recommendations when you enter any Rochester zip code or address, using ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and local terrain analysis.
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Rochester requirements including location-specific wind velocities (100-110 mph range), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations (B urban/C lakefront), Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Rochester project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations compliant with New York State Building Code.
Calculate Rochester Wind Loads Now →All wind load calculations for Rochester building permits must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in New York State. New York has strict engineering practice laws requiring PE seals for structural design. The sealed calculations must include:
Monroe County and the City of Rochester require PE-sealed structural calculations for most commercial projects and complex residential projects. New York State Education Law Article 145 governs the practice of professional engineering and requires licensure for structural design work.
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Rochester wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Rochester-specific requirements:
Rochester's industrial heritage as the home of Eastman Kodak and Xerox Corporation has shaped the city's built environment with numerous large industrial and commercial facilities requiring careful wind load analysis. The city's transformation from manufacturing hub to education and healthcare center (University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Strong Memorial Hospital) continues to drive construction of sophisticated buildings requiring modern wind engineering.
The Port of Rochester, Charlotte neighborhood, and Lake Ontario State Parkway provide recreational waterfront access while creating exposure considerations for structural design. High Falls and the Genesee River gorge create unique topographic conditions in downtown Rochester that may require special wind load considerations for projects in the immediate vicinity.
Rochester experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, significant lake-effect weather influence, and moderate wind exposure:
The ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps for Rochester are based on 50-year return period statistical analysis of all these weather patterns, ensuring structures are designed for the most severe wind events expected in the region's climate.
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Rochester projects. Our software automatically handles location-specific wind velocities (100-110 mph), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations (B/C), and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission to Rochester Building Inspections Department and Monroe County.
Try Rochester Wind Load Calculator →