Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: WoodstockCat
pressure still supports a 5..doesn't that either say the pressure or wind speed at 145 is off?

Not at all. The pressure guidlines for various categories are VERY rough guidlines.

Pressures have NOTHING to do with wind speed.

Pressure GRADIENTS (the difference in pressure across a given distance) cause a given wind speed. If the pressures around a storm aren't that high, then even if the pressures are very low in the storm, you won't have as much wind as you expect. Around Andrew, for example, the pressures were very high..thus with 922mb you had Cat 5 winds. During this eyewall replacement, the pressure gradient in the core of Rita has weakened, creating a broader windfield but with a lower maximum wind, despite the pressure being WELL below that of Andrew at landfall.

However, the very unfortunate myth that there is a specific, precise windspeed that must be associated with a given pressure has taken hold. Once of the main purveyors of this myth, incidentally, is a certain well known AccuWeather TV personality.

2,325 posted on 09/22/2005 2:11:37 PM PDT by Strategerist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2292 | View Replies ]


To: Strategerist
However, the very unfortunate myth that there is a specific, precise windspeed that must be associated with a given pressure has taken hold.

Well, it was just summarily dislodged from my not very scientific brain for good.

2,351 posted on 09/22/2005 2:15:33 PM PDT by Bahbah (Praying for those in the path of Rita)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2325 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson