NWS La Crosse Severe Thunderstorm Reference Table (Wind)

Tropical Storm Arthur and Heavy Rainfall in the South; Severe Weather in the Midwest

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms is expected across portions of Illinois and Indiana tonight. Intense tornadoes, swaths of damaging gusts, and hail in excess of 2 inches in diameter possible. Tropical Storm Arthur will continue to produce strong winds across coastal Upper Texas and Louisiana tonight, as well as potentially life-threatening flooding across southern Louisiana into Mississippi. Read More >

Wind Speed (mph)	Description
Calm - 2	Smoke rises vertically; trees do not move
3 - 6	Wind motion visible; felt on skin
7 - 10	Leaves / flags in constant motion
11 -15	Wind heard; Leaves rustle
15 - 20	Dust is raised; Small branches move
20 - 25	Small trees sway; Flags in full motion
26 - 32	Large branches move; Whistling heard in wind
33 - 40	Whole trees move; Difficult to walk
41 - 49	Twigs break; Leaf loss; Cars can veer off road
50 - 57	Small branches break; Leaf litter in streets; Minor roof and sign damage possible
START OF SEVERE CRITERIA
58 - 65	Tree damage or large branches break; Light structural damage
66 - 73	Tree and structural damage; Crop damage possible
74+	Widespread tree, crop, and structural damage

Wind Speed (mph)

Description

Calm - 2

Smoke rises vertically; trees do not move