Most Intense Hurricane Ever Measured
The strongest of the record-high 28 named storms of 2005, Hurricane Wilma, went down in history as the most intense hurricane ever measured.
Wilma formed on Oct. 15 then underwent a stunning bout of strengthening that, on Oct. 19, reached a lowest-ever minimum surface of 882 millibars, or 26.05 inches of mercury.
As a matter of fact, the central pressure shed a full 100 millibars (982 mb to 882 mb) within 30 hours. The is said to be a record-high rate of intensification.
Highest estimated sustained winds at the time of peak intensity were 184 mph, although the highest actually measured were 175 mph.
Following the record low pressure, which happened over the western Caribbean Sea, Wilma went on to batter northeastern Yucatan, Mexico, then veered northeast to devastate South Florida.
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