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Subject: E1) Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?
Typhoon Tip in the Northwest Pacific Ocean on 12 October 1979 was
measured to have a central pressure of 870 mb and estimated surface
sustained winds of 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph)
(Dunnavan and Diercks 1980). Typhoon Nancy on 12
September, 1961 is listed in the best track data for the Northwest
Pacific region as having an estimated maximum sustained
winds of 95 m/s (185 kt, 213 mph) with a central pressure of 888
mb. However, it is now recognized (Black
1992) that the maximum sustained winds
estimated for typhoons during the 1940s to 1960s were too strong and
that the 95 m/s (and numerous 83 to 93 m/s reports) is somewhat too
high.
Note that Hurricane Gilbert's 888 mb lowest pressure (estimated
from flight level data) in mid-September 1988 is the most intense
[as measured by lowest sea level pressure] for the Atlantic basin
(Willoughby et al 1989), it is
almost 20 mb weaker (higher) than the above Typhoon Tip of the
Northwest Pacific Ocean.
While the central pressures for the Northwest Pacific typhoons are
the lowest globally, the North Atlantic hurricanes have
provided sustained wind speeds possibly comparable to the
Northwest Pacific. From the best track database, both Hurricane
Camille (1969) and Hurricane Allen (1980) have winds that are
estimated to be 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph). Measurements of such
winds are inherently going to be suspect as instruments often are
completely destroyed or damaged at these speeds.
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