"Paul, are winds stronger in a tornado or hurricane?" Not even close. Although rare and brief, tornadoes produce the strongest winds on Earth.
The American Meteorological Society reports that a portable Doppler on wheels based at the University of Illinois was near Greenfield, Iowa, on May 21 when it was hit by a massive tornado.
It may have produced some of the highest winds on record. It was ranked as an EF-4 tornado, but the EF scale is based on the structural damage a tornado leaves, not radar or instrument measurements. The portable Doppler measuring the windfield closer to the ground found winds of 270 mph with gusts to 318. Incredible!
Tropical storm Debby may hit the Gulf Coast of Florida tomorrow and stall over Georgia or South Carolina. The primary threat once again is flooding rains.
Feeling better about our forecast: upper 80s today with a few thunderstorms tonight into Monday, followed by some free A/C next week (a couple days with highs in the 70s).
We usually dry out in August. Maybe not this year?
