ABSTRACT
Wind loading and seismic loading have created almost equal damage over a long time period, although the frequency with which large and damaging earthquakes occur is much lower than severe windstorms. In this introductory chapter, the meteorology of severe windstorms gales produced by large extra-tropical depressions, tropical cyclones, and downbursts, squall lines and tornados associated with thunderstorms is explained, including the expected horizontal variation in wind speed that occurs during these events. However, this chapter summarizes some recent studies of climate-change trends affecting severe windstorms. The major contributors to the increase were windstorms, especially tropical cyclones such as Hurricanes 'Hugo' 'Andrew', 'Charley', 'Ivan' 'Katrina', and 'Harvey, 'Irma' and 'Maria' in the United States and Caribbean, and winter gales in Europe in 1990, 1999, 2007 and 2018. Wills et al. carried out an analysis of debris flight conditions and its impact in terms of damage to buildings in severe winds.
