Extreme horizontal winds measured by dropwindsondes in hurricanes

Since the operational use of Global Positioning System drowindsondes in hurricanes commenced in 1997, 47 instruments have measured horizontal winds of 90 m/s or greater, including one measurement of 107 m/s in Hurricane Isabel. This does not include observations of extreme horizontal winds during the unusually active 2005 hurricane season.

These observations, combined with aircraft flight-level and airborne Doppler data (when available) will help to elucidate the structures responsible for these extreme winds. Special consideration will be given to the likelihood that such winds can reach the surface to do damage to life and property. Proposals for the mechanism for the formation of these features, especially the superintensity theory of Persing and Montgomery, will be presented.