1. Typhoon Tip 870mb*?

[Ptarmigan]

One should read the discussion of both Joan (1997) and Angela (1995) in the appropriate ATCR from JTWC where they discuss this very issue. Angela BTW was Dvoraked at 8.3 which is higher than Tip's 8.0. JT noted that the ring of dark gray around the eye of Joan indicated tops colder than -81C.

Steve

Angela had sustained winds of 185 to 190 mph (160 to 165 knots). Super Typhoon Keith of 1997 was small and had a central pressure of 872 millibars. It would not surprise me, if it had winds of 195 mph (170 knots). I remember reading that in 1945 there was a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa with a central pressure of 865 millibars. I wonder how credible it is?

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archi ... 988_570095

[Aslkahuna]

I would take reports of storms prior to when JTWC began (in 1959) and standardized to some extent typhoon reports with a pund of salt-especially given Okinawa's latitude and the prime areas for STY development which are further south. Also remember that Keith's pressure is an estiamte based upon Dvorak analysis. From Paka in 1997 (which was clearly a 130 kt 'phoon when it passed Guam) we now know that the WPAC Wind/pressure vs Dvorak relationship is not the same through the year since late season storms tend to have higher ambient pressures surrounding them.

Steve