Extreme Wind Warning Product

NWS Weather Forecast Offices affected by tropical cyclones will issue the Extreme Wind Warning (EWW) product. The EWW is a short duration product designed to provide advance notice of extreme hurricane winds (category 3 or higher), usually associated with the eyewall of a hurricane. The EWW informs the public of the need to take immediate shelter in an interior portion of a well-built structure.  The EWW does not change or replace any products issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). NWS offices may issue an EWW when both of the following criteria are met:

1. Tropical cyclone is a category 3 or greater on the Saffir Simpson hurricane scale as designated by the NHC.
2. Sustained tropical cyclone surface winds of 100 knots (115 mph) or greater are occurring or are expected to occur within one hour for the warned area.

WFOs will issue Severe Weather Statements (SVS) to update the status of specific EWW. This includes when all or portions of an EWW have been canceled or have expired. Updated information should include observed wind observations and/or reports of damage when available. 

Example: Extreme Wind Warning (EWW)

WFUS52 KTBW 131938
EWWTBW
FLC015-071-132100-
/O.NEW.KTBW.EW.W.0013.040813T1938Z-040813T2100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
EXTREME WIND WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY - RUSKIN FL
338 PM EDT FRI AUG 13 2004

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RUSKIN HAS ISSUED AN

* EXTREME WIND WARNING FOR THE ONSET OF SUSTAINED WINDS OF 115 MPH OR GREATER FOR...
   CHARLOTTE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
   LEE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

* UNTIL 500 PM EDT

* AT 335 PM EDT...SURFACE OBSERVATIONS AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED EXTREME WINDS...ASSOCIATED WITH THE EYEWALL OF HURRICANE CHARLEY...WERE MOVING ONSHORE NEAR NORTH CAPTIVA ISLAND.  SUSTAINED WINDS IN EXCESS OF 140 MPH...CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION...CAN BE EXPECTED AS THE EYEWALL PASSES OVERHEAD.  MOVEMENT WAS NORTH NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

* THESE EXTREME WINDSWILL AFFECT...
            ST. JAMES CITY BY 345 PM
            BOKEELIA BY 350 PM
            PUNTA GORDA BY 400 PM

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM!  MOVE INTO AN INTERIOR ROOM AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND OUTER WALLS.  COVER YOUR HEAD AND BODY WITH PILLOWS OR BLANKETS.

LAT...LON 2672 8226 2644 8213 2702 8174 2702 8207
TIME…MOT…LOC  1935 200DEG  17KT 2665 8210

$$

If you have questions on the EWW product, please contact:
Scott Kiser
National Weather Service
Tropical Cyclone Program Leader
phone: 301-713-1677x122
email: scott.kiser@noaa.gov