ESDU 87034:2012

ESDU 87034 explains the various mechanisms producing high winds,
such as depressions, thunderstorms, tropical storms and tornadoes,
and describes their characteristics and geographical occurrence.
Detailed procedures are given for analysing annual and storm maxima
records and for analysis by direction. The Lieblein method of
fitting the maxima with a Fisher-Tippett Type 1 distribution is
detailed and an alternative method of predicting extreme values
from the parent probability distribution function (of Weibull form)
is provided and allows good estimates of extreme speeds to be
obtained from relatively short records. Methods of analysing and
synthesising data when more than one storm mechanism contributes to
the extremes are included. Methods are recommended for
extrapolating extreme values for depressions, thunderstorms or
tropical storms to heights and terrain roughnesses different from
those at the measurement site. To assist in the analysis of
historical wind speed records, types of anemometers used and their
possible inaccuracies are discussed. Methods for estimating
response and effective averaging time in relation to gusts are also
provided.