Definition: Maximum sustained surface wind speeds are used to determine the category level of a storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. A sustained wind is one that is relatively long lasting. In most parts of the world, a 10 minute time period is used to determine sustained winds. In the United States, a 1-minute interval is used.
Winds are measured at a standard height of 10 meters or 33ft. The result is actually a mean wind speed rather than a wind gust during the 1-minute period. This mean wind speed determines a hurricane or tropical storm category rating.
Summary
In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific tropical cyclone basins, a 1–minute to 2 minute interval is used to determine maximum sustained surface wind speed. In all other basins, a 10-minute interval is used. Newer technology has also made using a 2-minute interval standard which has little variation from the 1-minute standard.
Also Known As: Sustained wind speed, hurricane winds