If you're a Shanghai resident, you're probably used to the fact that the city's skyline is an iconic, towering force of modern engineering. But when a Red Level Typhoon hits, those majestic buildings that scrape the clouds start to move a little – yes, sway – and that's something you can feel if you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to be inside one.

Shanghai has a wide breadth of high-rise buildings. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats has these stats for SH:

• 180 skyscrapers: Those that are 150m or taller
• 7 Completed Supertall buildings: 300 meters or taller
• 1 Megatall building: 600m or taller, the Shanghai Tower.

With a typhoon bearing down on the city today, we thought it'd be the perfect time to take a look at how Shanghai's supertall skyscrapers handle extreme weather, what it feels like to be in one when the winds are howling, and why you can relax knowing that engineers planned for all of this.

Of particular interest to those staying at one of the high-rise hotels in Shanghai. Or if you're a daredevil, and would want to experience this rare lifetime event "Typhoon in the Clouds" some of Shanghai's hotels occupy the highest floors of the city's supertalls.

Supertall buildings are designed to be flexible so they can safely absorb and dissipate wind forces. At those high wind speeds, the building's sway would be noticeable, particularly on higher floors. While this movement might feel unsettling to occupants, it's entirely normal and part of the building's design. The swaying can be up to a meter or more at the top, depending on the building, but it's engineered to stay within safe limits.

In fact, this flexibility helps prevent structural damage, and damping systems (such as mass-tuned dampers) are usually installed to reduce the amplitude of the swaying and make the experience more comfortable for occupants. Though you'd feel the motion, it's not dangerous, and the building would still be structurally sound.

Wait... I Can Feel The Building Swaying, Is it Supposed to do That?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, let's get something straight – skyscrapers are designed to sway. It's not a flaw. It's a feature. When you're dealing with buildings like the Shanghai Tower (632 meters) or the SWFC (492 meters), the forces of wind at that height are powerful, especially during a typhoon. Stiff structures would crack under the stress, but sway allows them to absorb the wind's energy and remain standing.

For example, at the top of the Shanghai Tower, the sway can reach up to 1 meter or 2 in either direction during intense winds. Imagine sitting at your desk and feeling the building slightly lean. It's disconcerting at first, but it's perfectly normal – part of a careful balance that keeps these giants standing.

Tuned Mass Dampers: The Quiet Saviors

One of the coolest things you'll never see but should know about is the tuned mass damper (TMD). Think of it as a massive pendulum or weight that sits near the top of these skyscrapers, swinging in the opposite direction to the building's movement. This counter-swinging action reduces the overall sway felt inside.

The Shanghai Tower has one of the world's largest TMDs, weighing in at around 1,000 tons. When the building sways during a typhoon, this damper swings in the opposite direction, stabilizing the structure and minimizing how much movement you actually feel.

Reinforced Mega-Columns and Cores

In addition to swaying, these skyscrapers need to be strong at their core – literally. The Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and SWFC all have reinforced concrete cores surrounded by steel mega columns that give them extraordinary strength and flexibility. These structures aren't just designed to withstand high winds but also major seismic events (which, in Shanghai, is a solid consideration).

What It Feels Like When the Tower Sways

If you've ever been in a skyscraper during a typhoon, you know the feeling. It's subtle but unmistakable – the building moves slightly, like being on a slow-motion roller coaster. You'll feel a gentle sway from side to side, especially on the higher floors, where the movement is most pronounced. During tomorrow's Typhoon, the swaying won't be so... subtle. You'll definitely feel it.

In fact, the sway is an indication that everything is working as it should. The building is flexing with the wind, not fighting it.

How Safe Are You in a Super Skyscraper During a Typhoon?

The short answer: very safe. These skyscrapers are built with redundant safety systems designed to handle even the most extreme forces. In addition to wind resistance, they're equipped with emergency backup systems, redundant power supplies, and multiple fire safety mechanisms that make them one of the safest places to be during extreme weather.

The movement might feel strange, but these buildings are among the best-prepared structures for extreme wind events in the world. It's all part of the engineering magic that keeps the city's most iconic towers standing tall, no matter how hard the wind blows.