| MadSci Network: Earth Science |
Dear Jason,
In regards to your question of wind speed, a tornado has the strongest winds, some of them can be in excess of 600 kmh (375 mph) in the actual funnel. For more information on tornadoes try here. I would like to take a moment and explain the other wind forces that you ask about and also tell you about another.
First of all, let's take a look at a "cyclonic" storm. This is a storm that is a rotating low-pressure system. Most weather systems that come across the United States and dump large amounts of rain or snow are of a cyclonic nature. They can be destructive in their own right (flooding, deep snow falls etc.) but typically do not pack much of wind force (since that is what we are talking about). On the other hand, a tropical cyclonic storm can pack very destructive winds. Tropical cyclonic storms are called hurricanes when they develop in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and typhoons when they develop in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. These storms can produce winds in excess of 320 kmh (200 mph). Hurricanes (or typhoons) will have their most powerful constant winds right before the relative (and deceptive) calm of the eye. They derive their intensity and power from the warm waters of the ocean. For more information on hurricanes try here.
Your question only asked about wind speed. If we were to take a look at destructive winds, then, even though a hurricane has slower winds, they would be the most destructive. This is obviously because a hurricane covers much more area than a tornado. Matter of fact, hurricanes have been known to produce tornadoes inside themselves. It is just that with all the damage from the constant winds and rains the tornadoes do not stand out. Researches have determined that tornadoes can be part of a hurricane after they have looked at aerial photos taken of the damaged areas. They can see the tracks that the tornadoes have left among the other debris of the storm.
One type of wind that is also very strong is called a geostrophic wind. These are winds generated at high altitude and are caused by the rotation of the earth as well as the difference between high and low pressure in the atmosphere. One such geostrophic wind is what we call the Jet Stream. Geostrophic winds can reach speeds of 540 kmh (325 mph). The reason we do not feel them at ground level is because the friction of the earth's surface and the atmosphere prohibits the wind from gaining this high speed. For more information on wind and weather try here.