Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
| Category | Sustained Winds | Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds |
| 1 | 74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h | Very dangerous winds will produce some d ... |
| 2 | 96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h | Extremely dangerous winds will cause ext ... |
| 3 (major) | 111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h | Devastating damage will occur: Well-buil ... |
| 4 (major) | 130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h | Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-bui ... |
| 0 --- Calm | less than 1 mph (0 m/s) | Smoke rises vertically |
|---|---|---|
| 10 -- Whole gale | 55 - 63 mph 24-27.5 m/s | Trees uprooted, considerable damage to buildings |
| 11 -- Storm | 64 - 73 mph 28-31.5 m/s | Widespread damage, very rare occurrence |
| 12 -- Hurricane | over 73 mph over 32 m/s | Violent destruction |
What wind speed is dangerous?
Dangerous landings during stormy wind ... but some pilots had a really hard time trying to land during stormy wind at Düsseldorf airport runway. The wind speeds reached up to 55 km/h that day. These featured planes had a lot of complication getting ...
What wind speed causes damage?
When severe weather is in the forecast, its important to understand the risks for a home or business related to wind speed. The National Weather Service (NWS) categorizes wind speed and its related damages as: 25-30 mph: When wind speeds reach 25 mph, large branches on tress will move, and utility wires will sway.
Will a 20 mph wind cause damage?
No! “Can 20 mph winds cause damage — Damaging winds are classified as those exceeding 50-60 mph. Damage from severe thunderstorm winds account for half of all severe reports in the lower 48 states and is more common than damage from tornadoes. Wind speeds can reach up to 100 mph and can produce a damage path extending for hundreds of miles.”
How is wind speed and damage related?
- When strong winds or a storm is in the forecast, secure all loose objects at your home or business. ...
- Ensure your roof and windows are in good condition prior to a storm. ...
- Remove dead or dying trees from your property to limit the risk of damage to a nearby structure. ...
What speed of wind causes damage?
Weather Briefly: Damaging Winds. Most thunderstorm winds that cause damage at the ground are a result of outflow generated by a thunderstorm downdraft. Damaging winds are classified as those exceeding 50-60 mph.
How much damage can 50 mph winds cause?
As we mentioned earlier, 50 mph winds can definitely cause light structural damage. Winds around 50 mph can tear shingles off roofs and cause eaves to lift and blow away. If 50 mph winds turn into 60 mph winds, you should really brace yourself for trouble.25-Jun-2021
What damage can 30 mph winds do?
Moderate-low risk level – 25 to 30 mph. Larger tree branches may sway and scratch a roof, old and weak limbs may break and fall. Power lines may also sway badly. Moderate-high risk level – 30 to 40 mph.05-Jan-2021
How much damage can 45 mph winds do?
Wind Speed Damage According to the National Weather Service, slight damage can begin when winds reach 45 mph, but this range is considered “non-severe”. These non-severe winds may cause some tree branches to break off and can cause damage to already loose or susceptible shingles.
Can 60 mph winds move a car?
If the car is moving at 60 miles per hour along a highway just 5 ponds of pressure applied at the top of the side will overturn the car. According to the engineers that helped devise the Enhanced Fujita Scale, winds of between 111 - 135 m.p.h. are enough to lift and move average sized cars.
Is a 47 mph wind strong?
47-54 Mph 75-88 kph 41-47 knots Strong Gale Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs. High waves (6 meters), rolling seas, dense foam, Blowing spray reduces visibility. 55-63 Mph 89-102 kph 48-55 knots Whole Gale or Storm Trees are broken or uprooted, building damage is considerable.
Can 20 mph winds knock down trees?
Sustained wind speeds around 20 mph, or frequent gusts of 25 to 30 mph. " No Discernable Threat to Life and Property from High Wind." The sustain wind speeds are non-threatening; "breezy" conditions may still be present. Note: In "High Wind" conditions, small branches break off trees and loose objects are blown about.
How windy is too windy walking?
Attempting to walk in 60-70mph winds is dangerous, and there is a high risk of being blown over and suffering injury. Stay away from difficult underfoot conditions or exposed edges and get off the hill as soon as possible. You're having a laugh!
Can 30 mph winds knock out power?
Wind Information Page. A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph for one hour and/or frequent gusts of at least 45 mph are occurring or expected within the next 36 hours. These winds will make it difficult to drive high profile vehicles. ... These winds may damage trees, power lines and small structures.
Are 14 mph winds strong?
Breezy is described as a sustained wind speed from 15-25 mph. Windy is a sustained wind speed from 20-30 mph. What makes a very windy day? Sustained winds between 30-40 mph.17-Mar-2021
Can 40 mph winds break windows?
So with all that said, at what wind speed do windows break? A Design Pressure or DP rating measures the strength of a window. Standard residential windows have DP values between 15 and 50. A DP 15 window can reasonably be expected to sustain winds of roughly 77 mph before shattering.18-Sept-2019
Can 25 mph winds do damage?
Examples Of Damage At Various Wind Speeds 0-25 mph – Winds this low are unlikely to cause any notable damage. 25-50 mph – At this point, you may see shingles begin to be blown off. Especially on aging or damaged roofs. But for the most part, you're still safe with wind speeds this low.18-May-2019
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What is a damaging wind?
What are damaging winds? Damaging winds are often called “straight-line” winds to differentiate the damage they cause from tornado damage. Strong thunderstorm winds can come from a number of different processes.
How fast can a tornado wind go?
Wind speeds can reach up to 100 mph and can produce a damage path extending for hundreds of miles.
What is the risk of mobile homes?
People living in mobile homes are especially at risk for injury and death. Even anchored mobile homes can be seriously damaged when winds gust over 80 mph. People living in mobile homes are especially at risk for injury and death from severe straight line winds.