Dvorak technique
Satellite estimates at the time, using the Dvorak technique, reached the maximum level on the scale: T#8.0. The storm's structure exceeded the maximum intensity on the scale as the "Dvorak technique makes no allowance for an eye embedded so deeply in cloud tops as cold as [cold dark gray]," as noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) satellite analysis branch. Cloud tops surrounding the eye averaged , with some areas even deeper. Some automated models initialized its intensity at T#8.1, exceeding the scale's upper bounds. Through satellite estimates, NOAA also estimated that Haiyan may have achieved a minimum pressure as low as 858 mbar (hPa; ). This would have possibly made Haiyan the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide, however due to lack of hurricane hunters in the West Pacific, this is hard to verify, so Typhoon Tip of 1979 holds the record.