What Does a Storm with 60-70 mph Gusts Look Like?

Weather forecasts 48 hours out from a hurricane are notoriously iffy, but the National Weather Service is predicting Hurricane Irene will start ratcheting up in the Woodbridge area after midnight on Saturday.

As of now, their extended forecast for the township starts with thunderstorms on Saturday. East winds will start at around 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. Expect that to crank up to 40 to 50 mph winds after midnight, with gusts up to 60 mph.

The worst part of the storm will apparently be Sunday morning with winds blowing from the north at 45 to 55 mph and gusts up to 70 mph. The storm will very slowly taper off during the afternoon, with winds dropping slightly to 40 to 50 mph and gusts blowing at 60 mph. Predictions are for the storm weather to lessen after 6 pm.

Wind damage is always an issue in any tropical storm, but in areas like central New Jersey where the ground is saturated from recent rains, the likelihood of trees uprooting and fall over is much worse, according to county emergency response officials.

What kind of damage can come from winds in the range expected in the Woodbridge area? 

According to Karen Clark & Co., a risk management group that specializes in catastrophe forecasts, damage from winds in the 40 to 50 mph range is slight. Their wind damage scale call for barely visible light damage, with broken tree limbs and some shingles off some houses. 

There is very little damage to property, they say, "except from possible extensive inland flooding and heavy precipitation resulting in water damage and uprooted trees."

The Sunday morning wind gusts, which may reach 70 mph, are more problematic. Karen Clark & Co. says that the damage at those wind speeds is "spotty."

What you can expect with 70 mph winds:

• Spotty damage across affected area. 
• Patches of shingles missing, minor roof covering, window and cladding damage to some wood frame, unreinforced masonry and light metal structures. 
• Significant signage damage. 
• Whole trees down causing some structural damage and power outages.

This Youtube video shows what a 60 to 70 mph storm looks like. The video was taken in 2009 by an amateur weather operator from his front porch.