ERA
(Registered User)
Fri Aug 25 2017 09:47 AM
Re: Hurricane Harvey Strengthening and Approaching Texas

ERA wanted to know
Quote:

How do I reconcile the buoy data from the area of Harvey with the hurricane hunter reports? The buoy data of an hour ago shows ~35 mph winds at the Gulf's surface and 20 meters above. For example: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=42019

Thanks, ERA



In reply. Most buoys are not strategically placed to encounter a tropical cyclone's stronger, let alone strongest, winds. (That's another thing we have recon for). Harvey's maximum 1-min sustained winds are 110 MPH, but this is only in a very small area in the right-front quadrant very close to the eye, and Buoy 42019 is not close to that.

Something else to consider with regard to buoys, unless you see differently, their reported sustained winds are an 8 minute average, which is going to be proportionally lower than the standard 1-minute sustained used in hurricanes and other weather phenomena. One can safely add another 10% to 20% to adjust for this low bias.

- Ciel


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