<P> Wind speeds within certain atmospheric phenomena ( such as tornadoes ) may greatly exceed these values but have never been accurately measured . Directly measuring these tornadic winds is rarely done as the violent wind would destroy the instruments . A method of estimating speed is to use Doppler on Wheels to sense the wind speeds remotely , and , using this method , the figure of 486 km / h ( 302 mph ; 135 m / s ) during the 1999 Bridge Creek -- Moore tornado in Oklahoma on 3 May 1999 is often quoted as the highest - recorded surface wind speed , although another figure of 512 kilometres per hour ( 318 mph ) has also been quoted for the same tornado . Yet another number used by the Center for Severe Weather Research for that measurement is 486 ± 32 km / h ( 302 ± 20 mph ) . However , speeds measured by Doppler radar are not considered official records . </P>
<P> Wind speeds within certain atmospheric phenomena ( such as tornadoes ) may greatly exceed these values but have never been accurately measured . Directly measuring these tornadic winds is rarely done as the violent wind would destroy the instruments . A method of estimating speed is to use Doppler on Wheels to sense the wind speeds remotely , and , using this method , the figure of 486 km / h ( 302 mph ; 135 m / s ) during the 1999 Bridge Creek -- Moore tornado in Oklahoma on 3 May 1999 is often quoted as the highest - recorded surface wind speed , although another figure of 512 kilometres per hour ( 318 mph ) has also been quoted for the same tornado . Yet another number used by the Center for Severe Weather Research for that measurement is 486 ± 32 km / h ( 302 ± 20 mph ) . However , speeds measured by Doppler radar are not considered official records . </P>
when do the highest surface wind speeds occur
when do the highest surface wind speeds occur
within certain atmospheric phenomena ( such as tornadoes )
within certain atmospheric phenomena ( such as tornadoes )