[NYorkerInHouston]

Strongest storm on record per the National Hurricane Center. Its based off of pressure readings, NOT windspeed. At a pressure of 882 millibars, Wilma beats previous record holder Gilbert which had a pressure reading of 888.

[Vaquero]

correct.....1 BAR being one atmosphere or 14.7 psi.

we normally reside on earth at the mean pressure of 1 BAR or if you will 1000 millibars.

If you have pressure at 882 millibars in an area you have basically a vacuum that sucks in the surrounding air(maybe that great sucking sound that Perot speaks of ). This pulls in air in and it swirls counter clockwise due to the Coriolis effect of our planets rotation. .882 is REAL LOW pressure....hence REAL BIG Hurricane.