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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Highest surface wind speed - Tropical Cyclone
Olivia sets world record
BARROW ISLAND, Australia -- Scientists at the World
Meteorological Organization confirmed that the 253.5 mph (408
km/h) wind gust achieved during Tropical Cyclone Olivia on
April 10, 1996 sets the new world record for the Highest
surface wind speed. 
Photo: Infra red satellite image showing
eye of Olivia at landfall. Courtesy Japan Meteorological Agency
(enlarge
photo)
The previous world record for the
Highest
surface wind speed was of 372 km/h, registered
in April 1934 across the summit of Mount Washington, USA.
The panel of experts (Dr. Pierre Bessemoulin,
MeteoFrance and President of CCl; Dr. Tom Peterson, NOAA National
Climatic Data Center; Dr. Blair Trewin, Australian Bureau
of Meteorology; Dr. Jose M. Rubiera Torres, Cuban Instituto
de Meteorología; Dr. John (Jack) Beven, USA National Hurricane
Center; Dr. John King, British Antarctic Survey; Dr. Randy
Cerveny, Arizona State University and CCl Rapporteur of Climate
Extremes) came to the conclusion after an extensive review
and evaluation of instrumental and statistical data.
The panel came to its conclusion after an
extensive review and evaluation of instrumental, phenomenological
and statistical data.
Olivia was the equivalent of a Category
5 hurricane as it roared along the northwest coast of Australia.
The storm with the Highest
surface wind speed injured 10 people in the mining
town of Pannawonica. 
Photo: House damage in Pannawonica.
Photograph: Dave Button.
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photo)
Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are
different terms for the same weather phenomenon which is accompanied
by torrential rain and maximum sustained wind speeds exceeding119
kilometers per hour. A hurricane with maximum sustained wind
speeds exceeding 249 km/h is referred to as Category 5.
A wind gust of 318 mph was measured
by Doppler radar during a tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, in 1999.
However, Doppler records are not considered official.
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Related world records: Nature
world records
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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