Damn Gale Force Winds!

[GlassMan]

Ironically, the strongest winds seem to be in populated areas. I walked the breadth of the USA, and only in "civilisation" were the gusts the sort that lifted the kilt. Out in the woods and mountains, the breezes seem to flow steadily, whereas in cities and towns the buildings channel the wind in quick gusts so they blow kilts up.

The worst times are: going into subway tunnels, exiting trolleys and busses, exiting buildings, and when large automobiles pass by on the road.

Mostly, though, I just don't care. I've walked over subway gratings in the street and pulled a total "Marilyn Manson" and just laughed and said "Whoops!" and carried on.

Andrew.

It's the wind tunnel effect created by the concrete canyons of downtown areas that create the worst wind gust opportunities. Combine that with the topography of some cities (San Francisco is a good example) and you get all sorts of unfortunate opportunities for wind up your kilt.

[millar]

The gusts coming off of buildings is actually where the phrase "23 skidoo" came from. "New York City's Flatiron Building, on 23rd Street, is shaped as a triangle. This shape caused frequent winds, which would stir ladies' skirts, revealing ankles which, in the early years of the Twentieth Century, were seldom seen in public. Rogues would loiter around the Flatiron Building hoping for glimpses. Local constables, shooing such rogues away, were said to be giving them the 23 Skidoo." From Wikipedia