How are "sustained winds" defined?

Sustained winds are defined as the average wind speed measured over a specific period, typically several minutes. This measurement provides a more stable and representative view of wind conditions, as transient gusts can fluctuate significantly and may not reflect overall wind behavior. By averaging the wind speed over a defined duration, meteorologists can project the typical conditions that might be experienced in a given area rather than the potentially misleading spikes that occur with wind gusts. This standardization is important for accurate weather forecasting and reporting.

Other options do not accurately capture the definition of sustained winds: wind speed during a storm event does not provide a consistent measurement over time; wind gusts represent short bursts of high-speed winds rather than sustained flows; and measuring winds at ground level alone omits crucial aspects of atmospheric dynamics, as winds can vary significantly at different altitudes.