Robert Dewey
EF5
I remember several years ago seeing a SVR warning for Wayne County (Michigan)... Instead of the typical "DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 70MPH", it said something to the effect of "DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 90MPH". I was quite stunned that the NWS would go that high, especially after seeing a glimpse of the cell on radar. I'm not sure whether there were spotter reports within that wind range (thus prompting the high-end warning)...
What criteria does the NWS use to determine wind speeds? Some warnings say "DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60MPH", while others say "DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 70MPH", and for high-end warnings "DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70MPH".
What criteria does the NWS use to determine wind speeds? Some warnings say "DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60MPH", while others say "DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 70MPH", and for high-end warnings "DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70MPH".