Edouard peak

[Hammy]

Just a bit of data-based speculation that Edouard may have reached 105kts prior to the recon's arrival. (feel free to move if there is another part of the forum this should go.)

First pass supported 100kts at about 14z on Sep 16, and each successive pass had rising pressure and steadily decreasing winds.
http://199.9.2.143/tcdat/tc14/ATL/06L.EDOUARD/ir/geo/1km/20140916.1515.goes13.x.ir1km.06LEDOUARD.100kts-955mb-306N-577W.100pc.jpg Linked is an image of Edouard at the time of the upgrade, showing a less defined appearance from three hours earlier
http://199.9.2.143/tcdat/tc14/ATL/06L.EDOUARD/ir/geo/1km/20140916.1145.goes13.x.ir1km.06LEDOUARD.95kts-963mb-296N-572W.100pc.jpg
and another from 12 hours prior to upgrade showing a warmer and better defined eye.
http://199.9.2.143/tcdat/tc14/ATL/06L.EDOUARD/ir/geo/1km/20140916.0315.goes13.x.ir1km.06LEDOUARD.95kts-963mb-286N-566W.100pc.jpg

Satellite estimates, as per NHC advisory, were 102kt and 107kt which also averages to 105kt, and this was during weakening that was confirmed by recon, which leads me to believe that it was higher prior to the plane's arrival.

A few comparisons, Gordon in 2006 and Erin in 2001 as they were reaching the same intensity according to post-season best track data.
http://199.9.2.143/tcdat/tc06/ATL/07L.GORDON/ir/geo/1km/20060914.0315.goes12.x.ir1km.07LGORDON.105kts-NAmb-273N-574W.100pc.jpg
http://199.9.2.143/tcdat/tc01/ATL/06L.ERIN/ir/geo/1km/20010909.1815.goes-8.ir.x.06LERIN.95kts-972mb.jpg

A small intensity change if this turns out to be the case, but interesting nonetheless after reviewing the satellite imagery and official intensity estimates.

[CrazyC83]

The Recon data seemed to consistently run a bit below what Dvorak suggested both while intensifying and weakening. IMO, 100 kt is reasonable (at the time of 97 kt SFMR, Dvorak supported about 105 kt).