The severe storm that caused extensive damage in the area of Burke, Virginia, on Monday had peak wind gusts of 90 mph, according to a survey by the National Weather Service published Tuesday afternoon.
The Weather Service said the strong winds were produced by a thunderstorm downburst, not a tornado. Downburst winds are intense gusts resulting from air that crashes to the ground from high altitudes and then spreads out horizontally at the surface.
Downburst winds can be as strong as a weak tornado, and can sometimes impact a larger area than a tornado.
The peak wind gusts of 90 mph occurred along a one-mile-long, 500-yard-wide path, one mile northwest of Burke, which is located in southern Fairfax County to the south of Fairfax.
Here is an excerpt from the Weather Service's detailed report:
"Significant concentrated damage began along Zion Road between the cross streets of Guinea Drive and Hillard Lake Road. Tree damage continued along Bridgewood Drive and Falmead Road before reaching Lake Royal. Through this area, many, though not all, of the trees were snapped midway, uprooted, or had large branches snapped off. Trees fell onto cars, powerlines, roads, and homes with substantial damage."
Significant damage was also reported around Lake Royal, where several townhomes had portions of their roofs lifted off.
You can read the full report here.
