Tropical cyclone windspeed climatology

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Wind Swath of Hurricane King over Miami Hurricane King Wind Swath.JPG
Wind Swath of Hurricane King over Miami

Tropical cyclone windspeed climatology is the study of wind distribution among tropical cyclones, a significant threat to land and people. Since records began in 1851, winds from hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones have been responsible for fatalities and damage in every basin. Major hurricanes (Category 3 or above) usually cause the most wind damage. [1] Hurricane Andrew for example caused $45 billion(2005 USD) in damage, most of it wind damage. [2]

Contents

Although wind damage is rare to tropical cyclones near landmasses, there are a few factors that lead to high wind speeds. Warm water temperatures, which was seen during Hurricane Wilma when its winds rapidly strengthened to 185 mph (298 km/h) in a 24-hour period due to the presence of abnormally warm water temperatures. Size and speed of the storm, which results in damage along a wide area as seen in Hurricane Isabel and Great New England Hurricane of 1938. [3] [4]

Winds in tropical cyclones

The winds in a tropical cyclone are the result of evaporation and condensation of moisture which results in updrafts. The updrafts in turn increase the height of the storm which causes more condensation.

Location of the winds

Right front quadrant of a typical hurricane. Wind add.jpg
Right front quadrant of a typical hurricane.

The strongest winds in a northern hemisphere tropical cyclone is located in the eyewall and the right front quadrant of the tropical cyclone. Severe damage is usually the result when the eyewall of a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone passes over land. The right front quadrant is also an area of a tropical cyclone were the winds are strongest. The reason that the winds are at the front right side of a storm in the northern hemisphere (and the front left hand side in the Southern Hemisphere) is because of the motion of a tropical cyclone contributing to its rotation. A 100 mph hurricane while stationary, might have winds of 100 mph on its right side in the northern hemisphere while the rest of the storm might have winds at 70 mph. The location of the right (or left in the Southern Hemisphere) front quadrant also depends on the storm track. For example, in the northern hemisphere, if the storm was moving west, then the right side is to the north, if it moving north, then the strongest winds will be to the east of the center. [5]

In the southern hemisphere, the strongest winds are to the left of the eye. That is because cyclonic winds below the equator, spin clockwise. [5]

On occasion, strong winds and wind gusts can occur in the rain bands of a tropical cyclone. And inside the eye the winds are relatively calm. At higher altitudes, the winds within a tropical cyclone head away from the center, forming the outflow which produces the shape of the tropical cyclone.

Classification of the winds

Saffir–Simpson scale
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The United States uses the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, a 1–5 scale which categorize hurricanes by sustained wind speed. The hurricane scale was created in 1969 by Herbert Saffir and Bob Simpson. The National Hurricane Center classifies hurricanes category 3 or above, major hurricanes. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also uses a scale similar to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. However, the JTWC classified typhoons with winds of at 150 mph or higher Supertyphoons.

The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia uses a 1–5 scale called tropical cyclone severity categories. Unlike the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, it categorizes tropical cyclones based on wind gusts.

Beaufort wind scale

Before the 1–5 scale was created in 1969 by the National Hurricane Center and later by the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, many tropical cyclones were simply ranked by the Beaufort Wind Scale which was created in the early 1800s by Francis Beaufort. The purpose of the scale was to standardize wind reports in ship logs. The scale was divided down into 14 forces (force 0 is calm while force 12 is hurricane). [6]

Fastest windspeed per basin

This lists the fastest wind speed of a tropical cyclone per basin since 1950 (NOTE: All wind speeds are 1-minute sustained and are in mph).

Windspeed per country

Australia

In December 1998, Cyclone Thelma produced wind gusts of 108 mph (174 km/h) and sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) as it made landfall in Western Australia. [7] Three months later, Cyclone Vance produced a record gust of 166 mph (267 km/h). Sustained winds of 113 mph (182 km/h) in Onslow. [8]

Cyclone John made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia as a category 4 tropical cyclone. Port Hedland experienced winds of 78 mph (126 km/h) for a period of 18 hours. At Karratha, the winds were gusting to 70 mph (110 km/h). Cape Lambert experienced sustained winds of 95 mph (153 km/h) for a five-hour period with gusts reaching 130 mph (210 km/h). [9]

In March 2000, Tropical Storm Tessi made landfall near Townsville, Queensland, Australia. A weather station recorded the towns record wind gust of 81 mph (130 km/h). [10]

Canada

A fast moving Hurricane Hazel brought sustained winds of 77 mph (124 km/h) and wind gusts up to 90 mph (140 km/h). [11] The remnants of Hurricane Audrey brought 80 mph winds across southern Canada. [12] A weather station on Nova Scotia recorded 100 mph sustained winds when Hurricane Juan made landfall in 2003.

Japan

During Typhoon Vera's impact on Japan, weather station in Iwo Jima reported winds of 89 mph (143 km/h). [13]

United States

Florida

During Hurricane Wilma's passage through Florida a weather station recorded sustained windspeeds of 77 knots, gusting to 101 kts. [14]

Related Research Articles

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—which in the Western Hemisphere are tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds. This measuring system was formerly known as the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale, or SSHS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclone scales</span> Scales of the intensity of tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones are ranked on one of five tropical cyclone intensity scales, according to their maximum sustained winds and which tropical cyclone basins they are located in. Only a few scales of classifications are used officially by the meteorological agencies monitoring the tropical cyclones, but other scales also exist, such as accumulated cyclone energy, the Power Dissipation Index, the Integrated Kinetic Energy Index, and the Hurricane Severity Index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic hurricane</span> Tropical cyclone that forms in the Atlantic Ocean

An Atlantic hurricane, also known as tropical storm or simply hurricane, is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Atlantic Ocean, primarily between the months of June and November. A hurricane differs from a cyclone or typhoon only on the basis of location. A hurricane is a storm that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean, a typhoon occurs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and a cyclone occurs in the South Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Nancy (1961)</span> Pacific typhoon in 1961

Super Typhoon Nancy, also known as the 2nd Muroto Typhoon, was an extremely powerful tropical cyclone of the 1961 Pacific typhoon season and one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record. The system possibly had the strongest winds ever measured in a tropical cyclone, with 345 km/h winds, tied with Hurricane Patricia of 2015. Nancy caused extensive damage, as well as at least 202 deaths and nearly 5,000 injuries in Japan and elsewhere, in September 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">September 1948 Florida hurricane</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1948

The September 1948 Florida hurricane also known as (Easy) was the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the state since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. The fourth hurricane and third major hurricane of the season, this storm developed from a tropical wave over the Caribbean Sea on September 18. Early the next day, the system strengthened into a hurricane while moving westward passing close to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Thereafter, it curved northwestward and continued to deepen. By September 20, the system turned northward and later that day made landfall in Zapata Peninsula, Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Another landfall occurred in Cuba early the next day to the south of Güines. Severe destruction was reported on the island, with winds up to 90 mph (140 km/h) observed in Havana. Over 700 buildings were destroyed. Ten deaths occurred and damage totaled at least $2 million (1948 USD), while other sources estimate "several million dollars."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Rose (1971)</span> Pacific typhoon in 1971

Typhoon Rose, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Uring, was the most violent and intense tropical cyclone to strike Hong Kong since Typhoon Wanda in 1962. The 21st named storm of the 1971 Pacific typhoon season, Rose developed from an area of disturbed weather while west of Guam on August 9. Moving west-northwestward, the storm briefly became a typhoon on the following day. After weakening to a tropical storm on August 11, Rose re-intensified into a typhoon several hours later. The system then curved westward and reached a primary peak intensity with winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) on August 13. Later that day, the typhoon made landfall near Palanan, Isabela in the Philippines. Rose weakened significantly while crossing the island of Luzon and was a minimal typhoon upon reaching the South China Sea on August 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Monica</span> Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 2006

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica was the most intense tropical cyclone, in terms of maximum sustained winds, on record to impact Australia. The 17th and final storm of the 2005–06 Australian region cyclone season, Monica originated from an area of low pressure off the coast of Papua New Guinea on 16 April 2006. The storm quickly developed into a Category 1 cyclone the next day, at which time it was given the name Monica. Travelling towards the west, the storm intensified into a severe tropical cyclone before making landfall in Far North Queensland, near Lockhart River, on 19 April 2006. After moving over land, convection associated with the storm quickly became disorganised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974–75 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 1974–75 Australian region cyclone season was an above average tropical cyclone season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 2005</span> Tropical cyclone year

During 2005, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 141 systems formed with 94 of these developing further and were named by the responsible warning centre. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Hurricane Wilma, which was estimated to have a minimum barometric pressure of 882 hPa (26.05 inHg). 2005 was above-average in terms of the number of storms. The most active basin in the year was the North Atlantic, which documented 28 named systems. The Western Pacific had an near-average season with 23 named storms. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season experienced an above-average number of tropical storm intensity systems, numbering 15. Activity across the southern hemisphere's three basins – South-West Indian, Australian, and South Pacific – was fairly significant, with the regions recording 23 named storms altogether, with the most intense Southern Hemisphere cyclone of the year, Cyclone Percy from the South Pacific Ocean basin peaking at 145 mph (235 km/h) and 900 millibars. Throughout the year, 28 Category 3 tropical cyclones formed, including eight Category 5 tropical cyclones in the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 2006</span> Tropical cyclone year

Throughout 2006, 133 tropical cyclones formed in seven bodies of water known as tropical cyclone basins. Of these, 80 have been named, including two tropical cyclones in the South Atlantic Ocean, and a tropical cyclone in the Mediterranean Sea, by various weather agencies when they attained maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). The strongest storms of the year were Typhoon Yagi in the Western Pacific, and Cyclone Glenda of the Australian region. The deadliest and costliest storms of the year were a series of five typhoons that struck the Philippines and China; Chanchu, Bilis, Saomai, Xangsane, and Durian, with most of the damage being caused by Durian of November. So far, 27 Category 3 tropical cyclones formed, including five Category 5 tropical cyclones in the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of tropical cyclone terms</span>

The following is a glossary of tropical cyclone terms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Patricia</span>

Hurricane Patricia was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere and the second-most intense worldwide in terms of barometric pressure. It also featured the highest one-minute maximum sustained winds ever recorded in a tropical cyclone. Originating from a sprawling disturbance near the Gulf of Tehuantepec in mid-October 2015, Patricia was first classified a tropical depression on October 20. Initial development was slow, with only modest strengthening within the first day of its classification. The system later became a tropical storm and was named Patricia, the twenty-fourth named storm of the annual hurricane season. Exceptionally favorable environmental conditions fueled explosive intensification on October 22. A well-defined eye developed within an intense central dense overcast and Patricia grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours—a near-record pace. The magnitude of intensification was poorly forecast and both forecast models and meteorologists suffered from record-high prediction errors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Ernie</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ernie was one of the quickest strengthening tropical cyclones on record. Ernie was the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone in the Australian region since Cyclone Marcia in 2015, and also the strongest tropical cyclone in the Australian region since Cyclone Ita in 2014. Ernie developed from a tropical low into a cyclone south of Indonesia in the northeast Indian Ocean on 6 April 2017, and proceeded to intensify extremely rapidly to a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone. A few days later, on 10 April, the system was downgraded below cyclone intensity following a period of rapid weakening, located southwest of its original position. Ernie had no known impacts on any land areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 2015</span> Tropical cyclone year

During 2015, tropical cyclones formed in seven major bodies of water, commonly known as tropical cyclone basins. Tropical cyclones will be assigned names by various weather agencies if they attain maximum sustained winds of 35 knots. During the year, one hundred thirty-four systems have formed and ninety-two were named. The most intense storm of the year was Hurricane Patricia, with maximum 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 345 km/h (210 mph) and a minimum pressure of 872 hPa (25.75 inHg). The deadliest tropical cyclone was Cyclone Komen, which caused 280 fatalities in Southeast India and Bangladesh, while the costliest was Typhoon Mujigae, which caused an estimated $4.25 billion USD in damage after striking China. So far, forty Category 3 tropical cyclones formed, including nine Category 5 tropical cyclones in the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 2019</span> Tropical cyclone year

During 2019, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 142 systems formed with 100 of these developing further and were named by the responsible warning centre. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Typhoon Halong, which was estimated to have a minimum barometric pressure of 905 hPa (26.72 inHg), Halong also has the highest wind-speed, with 1-minute sustained wind speed of 305 kilometres per hour (190 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 2020</span> Tropical cyclones by year

During 2020, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. During the year, 141 tropical cyclones formed in bodies of water known as tropical cyclone basins. Of these, 104, including three subtropical cyclones in the South Atlantic Ocean and three tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, were named by various weather agencies when they attained maximum sustained winds of 35 knots. The strongest storm of the year was Typhoon Goni, peaking with a pressure of 905 hPa (26.72 inHg) and with 10-minute sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). The deadliest storm of the year was Hurricane Eta which caused 175 fatalities and another 100+ to be missing in Central America and the US, while the costliest storm of the year was Hurricane Laura, with a damage cost around $19.1 billion in the Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, and the Gulf Coast of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in 1995</span> Tropical cyclone year

During 1995, tropical cyclones formed within seven different bodies of water called basins. To date, 110 tropical cyclones formed, of which 74 were given names by various weather agencies. The strongest storm and the deadliest storm of the year was Typhoon Angela, which reached a minimum central pressure of 910 hPa (26.87 inHg) and caused a toal of 936 deaths throughout the Philippines. The costliest storm of the year was Hurricane Opal, which caused $4.7 billion in damage throughout Central America and the Gulf Coast of the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "TCFAQ D1) How are Atlantic hurricanes ranked?". Aoml.noaa.gov. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  2. ↑ NHC Report on Andrew
  3. ↑ Hurricane Wilma Report
  4. ↑ Hurricane Isabel Report
  5. 1 2 "TCFAQ D6) Why are the strongest winds in a hurricane typically on the". Aoml.noaa.gov. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "TCFAQ D10) Why do hurricane force winds start at 64 knots ?". Aoml.noaa.gov. 13 August 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  7. ↑ www.australiansevereweather.com https://web.archive.org/web/20060316073451/http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/1999/summ9812.txt. Archived from the original on 16 March 2006.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ "Severe Tropical Cyclone Vance". BoM. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Western Australia Tropical Cyclone Season Summary 1999–2000". Bom.gov.au. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "SIGNIFICANT WEATHER – APRIL 2000". Bom.gov.au. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "SAIC | Digital Transformation".
  12. ↑ www.aoml.noaa.gov(PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20061006111022/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/1957.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2006.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). Retrieved 7 May 2014.
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