The Complete Guide to #BigWindDay
How to use #BigWindDay on social media - from the wild history behind it to hashtag pairings and content ideas that actually get engagement.
What is Big Wind Day?
Big Wind Day is April 12th, and it commemorates one specific moment in weather history. On April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire recorded a surface wind gust of 231 miles per hour. For 62 years, that stood as the fastest wind speed ever measured on Earth's surface.
The record was eventually surpassed by Tropical Cyclone Olivia in 1996, which hit 253 mph on Barrow Island, Australia. But Mount Washington still holds the Northern Hemisphere record, and the observatory remains one of the most extreme weather stations on the planet. Average winter wind speeds up there exceed 40 mph, and temperatures regularly drop below minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why #BigWindDay Gets Attention
Weather content has a surprisingly dedicated following on social media. Meteorologists, storm chasers, and weather enthusiasts make up a vocal, active community that loves sharing facts and debating records. Big Wind Day gives them a focused moment to post, and your content can ride that wave.
The day also works for brands outside the weather space. Wind energy companies, outdoor gear brands, hair care products, kite manufacturers - anything remotely connected to wind can create a natural tie-in without it feeling forced.
Best Hashtag Combinations
Maximize your reach by pairing #BigWindDay with related tags:
- #NationalBigWindDay - The formal version some accounts prefer
- #MountWashington - Connects to the observatory and its community
- #ExtremeWeather - Large, active community of weather enthusiasts
- #WeatherHistory - Reaches the history-meets-science crowd
- #WindPower - Relevant for renewable energy content
- #StormChaser - Active community, especially on Instagram and TikTok
- #NewHampshire - Local angle that NH tourism and media accounts will engage with
- #WeatherNerd - Self-identified weather fans who actively seek this content
Content Ideas That Work
The facts angle: Lead with the 231 mph number - it is immediately attention-grabbing. Most people cannot visualize what wind that fast actually does, so describe it. At 231 mph, gravel becomes projectiles. Buildings lose their roofs. Trees snap like matchsticks. The observatory crew that recorded the measurement had to chain themselves to the equipment to avoid being swept away.
The comparison angle: Put 231 mph in context. A Category 5 hurricane starts at 157 mph. An EF5 tornado exceeds 200 mph. A Boeing 747 takes off at about 180 mph. The Mount Washington gust was faster than a commercial jet at takeoff - and it happened on a mountainside in New Hampshire.
The local angle: If your audience is in New England, play up the Mount Washington connection. The observatory runs a museum and offers tours. Share their webcam footage showing current conditions - on a windy day, the real-time video is genuinely dramatic.
The brand tie-in: Outdoor brands can showcase gear tested in extreme conditions. Hair care brands can run playful "wind-proof hair" campaigns. Renewable energy companies can talk about wind power potential. Even insurance companies can discuss wind damage prevention - just keep the tone light since this is a fun observance, not a disaster.
Timing and Strategy
Big Wind Day is not as widely known as some observance days, which is actually an advantage. Less competition means your post has a better chance of standing out. The hashtag volume is manageable, so a well-crafted post can sit near the top of the feed for hours rather than getting buried in seconds.
Post early on April 12th - ideally before 10 AM Eastern. Weather communities tend to be morning-active. If you are creating a video or carousel, publish it the night before with a "tomorrow is #BigWindDay" teaser, then drop your main content in the morning.
Platform-Specific Tips
Instagram: Dramatic weather photography performs well here. If you do not have original wind photos, the Mount Washington Observatory shares images freely. Pair a striking photo with 3-4 fast facts in your caption.
X (Twitter): Tweet a surprising wind fact and ask a question to drive replies. Something like "231 mph winds were recorded in NH in 1934. What is the strongest wind you have ever experienced?" gets people talking.
TikTok: Short videos showing what happens in extreme wind are reliably viral. Compilation clips, science explanations of how wind works at those speeds, or even comedic "me on a windy day" content all fit the hashtag.
LinkedIn: Stretch it into a business metaphor if you want, but keep it brief. "What 231 mph winds taught me about resilience" is the kind of post that either lands perfectly or falls completely flat - know your audience before trying it.
