Mount Washington’s World Record Wind Speed Toppled
Summary
On Friday, January 22, 2010, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report stating that a new world record wind speed was recorded on April 10, 1996 in Barrow Island, Australia during Typhoon Olivia. According to the report, the new record stands at 253 mph, far surpassing the Observatory’s record of 231 mph recorded on April 12, 1934. The new record was discovered by a special WMO evaluation panel during a comprehensive review of global weather and climate extremes.
Stance
Like many Mount Washington Observatory fans, we were surprised to learn this news. While we certainly respect the work of the WMO evaluation panel and acknowledge its findings, it is natural to treat such news with a certain level of skepticism. We have received the supporting documentation and are eager to learn more about the group’s findings.
Mount Washington’s 231 mph wind gust remains the fastest surface wind ever observed in the Western and Northern Hemispheres and the fastest wind ever observed at a manned surface station. Mount Washington’s bitter cold, freezing fog, heavy snow and legendary wind have contributed to its reputation as being one of the planet’s most extreme places, the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather”.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Why did it take 14 years to recognize this record?
Our understanding is that the record was noted by the Barrow Island station when it occurred, but not publicized until the WMO Evaluation Panel stumbled upon it while conducting a review of world records.
2) The new record occurred at an unmanned station. Do they really know it happened?
Yes. The WMO Evaluation Panel has conducted significant research into the circumstances surrounding this event, and while it is rare for winds of this speed to be verified since instruments typically fail, the instrument used at Barrow Island was confirmed to be in good working order.
3) The new record occurred during a typhoon. Does that really count?
Yes.
Resources for More Information
If you find additional resources that you feel we should post, please email them to information@mountwashington.org.
Information from the WMO:
http://wmo.asu.edu/world-maximum-surface-wind-gust
http://wmo.asu.edu/
Mount Washington Observatory press release:
http://www.mountwashington.org/news/release.php?id=49
News coverage:
http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory%3Fid%3D9668006&hl=en
Blog coverage:
http://www.weathernewengland.com/matt-noyes/mount-washington-dethroned/1006527.html
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