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Why are the wind speeds of hurricanes and tornadoes so amazing? Reveal the miracle of wind speeds in extreme weather conditions!
In meteorology, wind speed, as a basic atmospheric quantity, is mainly caused by the flow of air between high-pressure areas and low-pressure areas. This flow is usually caused by temperature changes. Measurement of wind speed currently relies primarily on anemometers, which have profound implications for weather forecasting, aviation and maritime operations, construction projects, and the growth and metabolic rates of plant species. How does wind speed become so alarming? Let’s explore the reasons behind it.
Wind speed has a wide range of influence, involving many fields such as weather forecasting, air transportation, and construction.
Measurement and units of wind speed
Wind speed is usually measured in meters per second (m/s) in the International System of Units, which is the unit recommended by the World Meteorological Organization for reporting wind speed. However, other units such as kilometers per hour (km/h), miles per hour (mph), and knots (kn) are also used on some occasions. For many years, wind speeds were also classified using the Beaufort Wind Scale, which was based on the visual observation of specific wind effects over land or sea.
Proven anemometers have shown surprising accuracy in measuring hurricane and tornado wind speeds, according to reports.
Factors affecting wind speed
Wind speed is affected by many factors, including pressure gradients, Rossby waves, jets, and local climate conditions. Pressure gradient is a key factor in wind speed because air movement caused by differences in air pressure accelerates the wind. Rossby waves are strong winds located in the upper troposphere that travel around the world. The wind speeds brought by these waves are also much higher than those in the lower troposphere.
Local weather conditions play an important role in affecting wind speed. Extreme meteorological phenomena such as hurricanes, monsoons and cyclones can have a huge impact on wind speed.
Extreme weather phenomena can significantly change the speed of air movement, resulting in the intense wind speeds of hurricanes and tornadoes.
Highest wind speed record
Non-tornado wind speed
To date, the fastest wind speed record not related to a tornado is 113.3 m/s (408 km/h) measured by Tropical Cyclone Olivia on Barrow Island, Australia on April 10, 1996. This data has been evaluated by the World Meteorological Organization and confirmed to be accurate.
The other official record comes from Mount Washington in New Hampshire in 1934, when the wind speed reached 103.266 m/s (371.76 km/h). The records show how rare phenomena in extreme climates can cause astonishing wind speeds.
Tornado wind speed
Compared to cyclones, tornadoes often exceed other recorded wind speeds, but due to their extreme nature, measuring these wind speeds is nearly impossible. In the 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma, tornado, wind speeds of up to 150 m/s (340 mph) were measured using mobile Doppler radar, which is the fastest known wind speed record.
The wind speed of tornadoes cannot be measured accurately, but through high-tech radar technology we can still capture these extreme phenomena.
Wind speeds on other planets
On some outer planets, wind speeds can reach astonishing values. Scientists have discovered that the wind speed on the exoplanet HD 189733b is as high as 2400 m/s (8600 km/h). This allows us to re-understand the limits and possibilities of wind speed.
Design considerations for structures
Wind speed is a common consideration in building design, and designers often need to ensure the stability of the structure based on expected wind speed. Measurements of wind speed influence the development of many building codes.
Based on the wind speed, the lateral strength of the building can be calculated, which is an important indicator to ensure the safety of the building.
However, extreme weather phenomena often make people wonder, can our buildings be designed to cope with wind speeds that have not yet been imagined?
