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Subject: E1) Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
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 Wilma's 882 mb lowest pressure (estimated
from a dropsonde) in 2005 is the most intense [as measured
by lowest sea level pressure] for the Atlantic basin, it is
almost 12 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, 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.
Revised November 28, 2006
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