Radius of maximum wind

The radius of maximum wind of a tropical cyclone lies just within the eyewall of an intense tropical cyclone, such as Hurricane Isabel from 2003

The radius of maximum wind (RMW) is the distance between the center of a cyclone and its band of strongest winds. It is a parameter in atmospheric dynamics and tropical cyclone forecasting.[1] The highest rainfall rates occur near the RMW of tropical cyclones. The extent of a cyclone's storm surge and its maximum potential intensity can be determined using the RMW. As maximum sustained winds increase, the RMW decreases. Recently, RMW has been used in descriptions of tornadoes. When designing buildings to prevent against failure from atmospheric pressure change, RMW can be used in the calculations.[2]

  1. ^ S. A. Hsu and Adele Babin. "Estimating the Radius of Maximum Winds Via Satellite During Hurricane Lili (2002) Over the Gulf of Mexico" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  2. ^ Donald W. Burgess and Michael A. Magsig. Understanding WSR-88D Signatures for the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornado. Archived 21 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-03-18.