danielwAdministrator
(Moderator)
Sat Sep 06 2008 04:31 PM
Drops

That typically is just above the level of highest winds in a Mature storm.
I would say that would be over 155mph at the surface... BUT this was the NE Eyewall drop.
Fujita F3 or F4 damage level probably.

Flight level wind are reduced at 90% to the surface. Or a rough estimate is to take the flight level wind speed in knots and simply change the knots to mph.
100knots=115 mph x 90%= 103.5mph
140knots =161mph x 90% = 145mph

So the simple rule is not that far off.
158kts = 182mph x 90% = 164 mph

6 mph above the simple rule. But at 160mph it won't make a great deal of difference.



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