All gusts are a type of wind.

A gust is a sudden increase of the winds speed that lasts no more than 20
seconds. This usually occurs when wind speeds reach a peak of at least 16 knots. A wind gust usually
comes in 2-minute intervals. A wind gust comes quite suddenly and abruptly. There are a number of
different reasons for wind gusts to occur. One of the causes for a wind gust is when there is a sudden
shift from high pressure to low pressure. Another cause for a wind gust to occur is the terrain. Wind
gusts are more frequent in areas where there are extremely tall trees, or man-made infrastructures. As
the wind passes around mountains, hills, trees and man-made infrastructures, the speed increases for
just a short period of time.

1. A gust and wind both refer to the movement of different gases in the earths atmosphere around the
earth.

2. Wind is created by the difference in atmospheric pressure caused by lighter hot air and denser cold
air. On the other hand, gusts are brief increases in the winds speed, mainly caused by the wind passing
through the terrain.

3. Wind blows in varying speeds throughout the entire day. Gusts only occur for extremely short
periods of time, usually lasting no more than just 20 seconds, occurring at 2-minute intervals.

India is divided into six wind zones

Zone Basic Wind Speed

1 33 m/sec
73.82 miles/hour

2 39 m/sec
87.25 miles/hour

3 44 m/sec
98.43 miles/hour

4 47 m/sec
105.15 miles/hour

5 50 m/sec
111.86 miles/hour

6 55 m/sec
 123.04 miles/hour

Importance Factor is determined from Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
(ASCE 7) based on the Occupancy Category. It is utilized in calculating flood, wind, snow, seismic and
ice design loads. The Importance Factor is a multiplier that increases or decreases the base design
loads.