AVERAGE WIND SPEEDS FOR
DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS

03/29/24   10:14a

What does "maximum sustained wind" mean ?
How does it relate to gusts in tropical cyclones ?

The National Hurricane Center uses a 1 min averaging time for reporting the sustained (i.e. relatively long-lasting) winds. The maximum sustained wind mentioned in the advisories that NHC issues for tropical storms and hurricanes are the highest 1 min surface winds occuring within the circulation of the system. These "surface" winds are those observed (or, more often, estimated) to occur at the standard meteorological height of 10 m (33 ft) in an unobstructed exposure (i.e., not blocked by buildings or trees).


DAILY
Max. Gust 13.0  MPH.
Time of Gust  9:29a 

ONE MINUTE
Ave. Speed 0.0  MPH.
Max. Gust 0.0  MPH.

TWO MINUTES
Ave. Speed 0.0  MPH.
Max. Gust 0.0  MPH.

FIVE MINUTES
Ave. Speed 2.5  MPH.
Max. Gust 5.0  MPH.

TEN MINUTES
Ave. Speed 2.3  MPH.
Max. Gust  5.0  MPH.