Damage from severe thunderstorm winds account for half of all severe reports in the lower 48 states and is more common than damage from tornadoes. If you have reliable wind equipment, you are welcome to send us actual values.

1: Light Air: 1 to 3 mph: Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, not by wind vanes.
Winds at this speed will mostly cause damage to mobile homes and trees, but well-constructed frame homes may see minor damage to the roof or gutters. Within the SWOP program, we are much more interested in the damage incurred by the wind rather than an actual speed. Trees growing in urban areas often do not allow for extensive root development. These 50 mph wind gusts will damage trees, power lines and small structures. If you don't have equipment or don't feel comfortable guessing the wind speed at your …

If heavy winds are reported, check to make sure all loose objects outside are secured.

Such things as grills, patio furniture, trash cans and small toys may need to be brought indoors. Wind barely moves tree leaves. ALLENTOWN — By the National Weather Service definition, a wind gust is a sudden, brief increase in speed of the wind. Data collected after the storm showed that the greatest damage to forests occurred in regions where the wind speed exceeded 42 m/s – irrespective of tree age and type, with both softwoods (e.g. Trees can come crashing down even in even moderately strong wind and damage homes and structures and take out power lines, Dean Patterson is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. A storm surge of 4-5 feet above normal can cause coastal road flooding. All trees can be uprooted when subjected to certain levels of wind velocity. Gusts are reported when the peak wind speed reaches at … Shallowly rooted trees may topple and damage to power lines can cause power outages that last for days.

pines) and hardwoods (e.g. 2: Light Breeze: 4 to 7 mph: Wind felt on face.

A rare storm packing 100 mph winds and with power similar to an inland hurricane swept across the Midwest on Monday, blowing over trees, flipping vehicles, causing widespread property damage … Barring uprooting, when push comes to shove, trees will snap at the weakest trunk juncture. To describe the damage caused by tornadoes, the term Most thunderstorm wind gusts that pack a punch are the result of high and low pressure systems that create outflow generated by a thunderstorm downdraft. Slight damage to buildings and shingles blown off roofs are all caused by 50 mph wind gusts. Wind speeds can reach up to 100 mph and can produce a damage path extending for hundreds of miles. Little if any movement with flags. Estimating wind speed is a difficult task, and the above scale is meant simply as a guide. Speed Visual Clues and Damage Effects; 0: Calm: Calm: Calm wind. He can be found running along the California coast or in the wilds of the great Rock Mountains. Graduate of San Diego State University, he travels extensively throughout the United States capturing the American Spirit in words.

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If you don't have equipment or don't feel comfortable guessing the wind speed at your location, a description of the damage that occurred will certainly suffice.
Category 2: 96-110 mph In strong winds, the Allowed to naturally spread, the roots of trees can extend well past the radius of their branches. Smoke rises vertically with little if any drift.

oaks) affected similarly. These 50 mph wind gusts will damage trees, power lines and small structures.If fierce winds are forecast, safeguard all lightweight or loose objects on your property immediately. Existing trees are exposed to urban sprawl.

Wind Speed to Move Objects If fierce winds are forecast, safeguard … Critical wind speeds, in which According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, winds begin to cause damage when they hit 50 miles per hour.