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Saffir–Simpson scale,1-minutemaximum sustained winds
Category m/s knots mph km/h
5 ≥ 70 ≥ 137 ≥ 157 ≥ 252
4 58–70 113–136 130–156 209–251
3 50–58 96–112 111–129 178–208
2 43–49 83–95 96–110 154–177
1 33–42 64–82 74–95 119–153
TS 18–32 34–63 39–73 63–118
TD ≤ 17 ≤ 33 ≤ 38 ≤ 62

TheSaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale(SSHWS) classifieshurricanes—which in theWestern Hemispherearetropical cyclonesthat exceed the intensities oftropical depressionsandtropical storms—into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustainedwinds.This measuring system was formerly known as theSaffir–Simpson hurricane scale,orSSHS.

To be classified as a hurricane, atropical cyclonemust have one-minute-averagemaximum sustained windsat 10 m above the surface of at least 74 mph (64 kn, 119 km/h; Category 1).[1]The highest classification in the scale,Category 5,consists of storms with sustained winds of at least 157 mph (137 kn, 252 km/h). The classifications can provide some indication of the potential damage andfloodinga hurricane will cause uponlandfall.

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is based on the highestwind speedaveraged over a one-minute interval 10 m above the surface. Although the scale shows wind speeds in continuous speed ranges, the USNational Hurricane Centerand theCentral Pacific Hurricane Centerassign tropical cyclone intensities in 5-knot (kn) increments (e.g., 100, 105, 110, 115 kn, etc.) because of the inherent uncertainty in estimating the strength of tropical cyclones. Wind speeds in knots are then converted to other units and rounded to the nearest 5 mph or 5 km/h.[2]

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is used officially only to describehurricanes that form in the Atlantic Oceanandnorthern Pacific Oceaneast of theInternational Date Line.Other areas usedifferent scalesto label these storms, which are calledcyclonesortyphoons,depending on the area. These areas (except theJTWC) usethree-minuteorten-minuteaveraged winds to determine the maximum sustained wind speed, creating an important difference which frustrates direct comparison between maximum wind speeds of storms measured using the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (usually 14% more intense) and those measured using aten-minuteinterval (usually 12% less intense).[3]

There is somecriticismof the SSHWS for not accounting for rain,storm surge,and other important factors, but SSHWS defenders say that part of the goal of SSHWS is to be straightforward and simple to understand. There have also been proposals for the addition of higher categories to the scale (which would then set a maximum cutoff for Category 5), but none have been adopted as of July 2024.

History[edit]

The scale was developed in 1971 bycivil engineerHerbert Saffirand meteorologistRobert Simpson,who at the time was director of the U.S.National Hurricane Center(NHC).[4]The scale was introduced to the general public in 1973,[5]and saw widespread use afterNeil Frankreplaced Simpson at the helm of the NHC in 1974.[6]

The scale was created by Herbert Saffir, astructural engineer,who in 1969 was commissioned by theUnited Nationsto study low-cost housing in hurricane-prone areas.[7]While conducting the study, Saffir realized there was no simple scale for describing the likely effects of a hurricane. Mirroring the utility of theRichter magnitude scalefor describing earthquakes, he devised a 1–5 scale based onwind speedthat showed expected damage to structures. Saffir gave the scale to the NHC, and Simpson added the effects ofstorm surgeand flooding.

In 2009, the NHC eliminated pressure and storm surge ranges from the categories, transforming it into a pure wind scale, called the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (Experimental) [SSHWS].[8]The updated scale became operational on May 15, 2010.[9]The scale excludes flood ranges,storm surgeestimations, rainfall, and location, which means a Category 2 hurricane that hits a major city will likely do far more cumulative damage than a Category 5 hurricane that hits a rural area.[10]The agency cited examples of hurricanes as reasons for removing "scientifically inaccurate" information, includingHurricane Katrina(2005) andHurricane Ike(2008), which both had stronger than estimated storm surges, andHurricane Charley(2004), which had weaker than estimated storm surge.[11]Since being removed from the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, storm surge prediction and modeling is handled by computer numerical models such asADCIRCandSLOSH.

In 2012, the NHC expanded the windspeed range for Category 4 by 1 mph in both directions, to 130–156 mph, with corresponding changes in the other units (113–136 kn, 209–251 km/h), instead of 131–155 mph (114–135 kn, 210–249 km/h). The NHC and theCentral Pacific Hurricane Centerassign tropical cyclone intensities in 5 knot increments, and then convert to mph and km/h with a similar rounding for other reports. So an intensity of 115 kn is rated Category 4, but the conversion to miles per hour (132.3 mph) would round down to 130 mph, making it appear to be a Category 3 storm. Likewise, an intensity of 135 kn (~155 mph, and thus Category 4) is 250.02 km/h, which, according to the definition used before the change would be Category 5. To resolve these issues, the NHC had been obliged to incorrectly report storms with wind speeds of 115 kn as 135 mph, and 135 kn as 245 km/h. The change in definition allows storms of 115 kn to be correctly rounded down to 130 mph, and storms of 135 kn to be correctly reported as 250 km/h, and still qualify as Category 4. Since the NHC had previously rounded incorrectly to keep storms in Category 4 in each unit of measure, the change does not affect the classification of storms from previous years.[8]The new scale became operational on May 15, 2012.[12]

Categories[edit]

The scale separates hurricanes into five different categories based on wind. The U.S. National Hurricane Center classifies hurricanes of Category 3 and above asmajor hurricanes,and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classifies typhoons of 150 mph (240 km/h) or greater (strong Category 4 and Category 5) assuper typhoons.Most weather agencies use the definition for sustained winds recommended by theWorld Meteorological Organization(WMO), which specifies measuring winds at a height of 33 ft (10.1 m) for 10 minutes, and then taking the average. By contrast, the U.S.National Weather Service,Central Pacific Hurricane Centerand theJoint Typhoon Warning Centerdefine sustained winds as average winds over a period of one minute, measured at the same 33 ft (10.1 m) height,[13][14]and that is the definition used for this scale.

The five categories are described in the following subsections, in order of increasing intensity.[15]Intensity of example hurricanes is from both the time of landfall and the maximum intensity.

Category 1[edit]

Category 1
Sustained winds Most recent landfall
33–42m/s
64–82kn
119–153 km/h
74–95 mph 		Nicolein 2022 nearing landfall inFlorida
See also:List of Category 1 Atlantic hurricanesandList of Category 1 Pacific hurricanes

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Category 1 storms usually cause no significant structuraldamageto most well-constructed permanent structures; however, they can topple unanchoredmobile homes,as well as uproot or snap weak trees. Poorly attached roof shingles or tiles can blow off.Coastal floodingandpierdamage are often associated with Category 1 storms. Power outages are typically widespread to extensive, sometimes lasting several days. Even though it is the least intense type of hurricane, they can still produce widespread damage and can be life-threatening storms.[8]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 1 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include:Juan(1985),Ismael(1995),Danny(1997),Stan(2005),Humberto(2007),Isaac(2012),Manuel(2013),Earl(2016),Newton(2016),Nate(2017),Barry(2019),Lorena(2019),Hanna(2020),Isaias(2020),Gamma(2020),Nicholas(2021),Pamela(2021),Julia(2022),Lisa(2022) andNicole(2022).

Category 2[edit]

Category 2
Sustained winds Most recent landfall
43–49 m/s
83–95 kn
154–177 km/h
96–110 mph
Agathain 2022 near landfall inPuerto Angel, Mexico
See also:List of Category 2 Atlantic hurricanesandList of Category 2 Pacific hurricanes

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

Storms of Category 2 intensity often damage roofing material (sometimes exposing the roof) and inflict damage upon poorly constructed doors and windows. Poorly constructed signs and piers can receive considerable damage and many trees are uprooted or snapped. Mobile homes, whether anchored or not, are typically damaged and sometimes destroyed, and manymanufactured homesalso suffer structural damage. Small craft in unprotected anchorages may break theirmoorings.Extensive to near-total power outages and scattered loss of potable water are likely, possibly lasting many days.[8]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 2 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include:Alice(1954),Ella(1958),Ginny(1963),Fifi(1974),Diana(1990),Gert(1993),Rosa(1994),Erin(1995),Alma(1996),Marty(2003),Juan(2003),Alex(2010),Richard(2010),Tomas(2010),Carlotta(2012),Arthur(2014),Sally(2020),Olaf(2021),Rick(2021) andAgatha(2022).

Category 3[edit]

Category 3
Sustained winds Most recent landfall
50–58 m/s
96–112 kn
178–208 km/h
111–129 mph
Gracein 2021 just prior to itsVeracruzlandfall
See also:List of Category 3 Atlantic hurricanesandList of Category 3 Pacific hurricanes

Devastating damage will occur

Tropical cyclones of Category 3 and higher are described asmajor hurricanesin the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacificbasins.These storms can cause some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, particularly those of wood frame or manufactured materials with minorcurtain wallfailures. Buildings that lack a solid foundation, such as mobile homes, are usually destroyed, andgable-end roofs are peeled off. Manufactured homes usually sustain severe and irreparable damage. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, while larger structures are struck by floating debris. A large number of trees are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas. Additionally, terrain may be flooded well inland. Near-total to total power loss is likely for up to several weeks and water will likely also be lost or contaminated.[8]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 3 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include:Easy(1950),Carol(1954),Hilda(1955),Audrey(1957),Olivia(1967),Ella(1970),Caroline(1975),Eloise(1975),Olivia(1975),Alicia(1983),Elena(1985),Roxanne(1995),Fran(1996),Isidore(2002),Jeanne(2004),Lane(2006),Karl(2010),Otto(2016),Zeta(2020), andGrace(2021).

Category 4[edit]

Category 4
Sustained winds Most recent landfall
58–70 m/s
113–136 kn
209–251 km/h
130–156 mph 		Lidiain 2023 just prior to itsJaliscolandfall
See also:List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanesandList of Category 4 Pacific hurricanes

Catastrophic damage will occur

Category 4 hurricanes tend to produce more extensive curtainwall failures, with some completestructural failureon small residences. Heavy, irreparable damage and near-complete destruction of gas station canopies and other wide span overhang type structures are common. Mobile and manufactured homes are often flattened. Most trees, except for the hardiest, are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas. These storms cause extensivebeach erosion,while terrain may be flooded far inland. Total and long-lived electrical and water losses are to be expected, possibly for many weeks.[8]

The1900 Galveston hurricane,the deadliest natural disaster to hit the United States, peaked at an intensity that corresponds to a modern-day Category 4 storm. Other examples of storms that peaked at Category 4 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include:Hazel(1954),Gracie(1959),Donna(1960),Carla(1961),Flora(1963),Betsy(1965),Celia(1970),Madeline(1976),Frederic(1979),Joan(1988),Iniki(1992),Charley(2004),Dennis(2005),Ike(2008),Harvey(2017),Laura(2020),Eta(2020),Iota(2020),Ida(2021), andLidia(2023).

Category 5[edit]

Category 5
Sustained winds Most recent landfall
≥ 70 m/s
≥ 137 kn
≥ 252 km/h
≥ 157 mph 		Otisin 2023 nearing its landfall inAcapulco,Mexico
See also:List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanesandList of Category 5 Pacific hurricanes

Catastrophic damage will occur

Category 5 is the highest category of the Saffir–Simpson scale. These storms cause complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings, and some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. The collapse of many wide-span roofs and walls, especially those with no interior supports, is common. Very heavy and irreparable damage to many wood-frame structures and total destruction to mobile/manufactured homes is prevalent. Only a few types of structures are capable of surviving intact, and only if located at least 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8 km) inland. They include office, condominium and apartment buildings and hotels that are of solid concrete or steel frame construction, multi-story concrete parking garages, and residences that are made of either reinforced brick orconcrete/cementblock and havehipped roofswith slopes of no less than 35 degrees from horizontal and no overhangs of any kind, and if the windows are either made of hurricane-resistant safety glass or covered with shutters. Unless most of these requirements are met, the catastrophic destruction of a structure may occur.[8]

The storm's flooding causes major damage to the lower floors of all structures near the shoreline, and many coastal structures can be completely flattened or washed away by the storm surge. Virtually all trees areuprooted or snappedand some may be debarked, isolating most affected communities. Massiveevacuationof residential areas may be required if the hurricane threatens populated areas. Total and extremely long-lived power outages and water losses are to be expected, possibly for up to several months.[8]

Historical examples of storms that made landfall at Category 5 status include:"Cuba"(1924),"Okeechobee"(1928),"Bahamas"(1932),"Cuba–Brownsville"(1933),"Labor Day"(1935),Janet(1955),Inez(1966),Camille(1969),Edith(1971),Anita(1977),David(1979),Gilbert(1988),Andrew(1992),Dean(2007),Felix(2007),Irma(2017),[16]Maria(2017),[17]Michael(2018),[18]Dorian(2019), andOtis(2023) (the only Pacific hurricane to make landfall at Category 5 intensity).

Criticism[edit]

Some scientists, includingKerry Emanueland Lakshmi Kantha, have criticized the scale as being too simplistic, namely that the scale takes into account neither the physical size of a storm nor the amount ofprecipitationit produces.[10]Additionally, they and others point out that the Saffir–Simpson scale, unlike themoment magnitude scaleused to measureearthquakes,is not continuous, and isquantizedinto a small number of categories. Proposed replacement classifications include the Hurricane Intensity Index, which is based on thedynamic pressurecaused by a storm's winds, and the Hurricane Hazard Index, which is based on surface wind speeds, theradius of maximum windsof the storm, and itstranslationalvelocity.[19][20]Both of these scales are continuous, akin to the Richter scale;[21]however, neither of these scales have been used by officials.[citation needed]

Proposed extensions[edit]

After the series of powerful storm systems of the2005 Atlantic hurricane season,as well as afterHurricane Patricia,a few newspaper columnists and scientists brought up the suggestion of introducing Category 6, and they have suggested pegging Category 6 to storms with winds greater than 174 or 180 mph (78 or 80 m/s; 151 or 156 kn; 280 or 290 km/h).[10][22]Fresh calls were made for consideration of the issue afterHurricane Irmain 2017,[23]which was the subject of a number of seemingly credible false news reports as a "Category 6" storm,[24]partly in consequence of so many local politicians using the term. Only a few storms of this intensity have been recorded. Of the 41 hurricanes currently considered to have attained Category 5 status in the Atlantic, 18 had wind speeds at 175 mph (78 m/s; 152 kn; 282 km/h) or greater and only 8 had wind speeds at 180 mph (80.5 m/s; 156 kn; 290 km/h) or greater (the1935 Labor Day hurricane,Allen,Gilbert,Mitch,Rita,Wilma,Irma,andDorian). Of the 20 hurricanes currently considered to have attained Category 5 status in the eastern Pacific, only 5 had wind speeds at 175 mph (78 m/s; 152 kn; 282 km/h) or greater (Patsy,John,Linda,Rick,andPatricia), and only 3 had wind speeds at 180 mph (80.5 m/s; 156 kn; 290 km/h) or greater (Linda, Rick, and Patricia). Most storms which would be eligible for this category weretyphoonsin the western Pacific, most notably typhoonsTipandHalongin 1979 and 2019 and respectively, each with sustained winds of 190 mph (305 km/h),[25]and typhoonsHaiyan,Meranti,Goni,andSurigaein 2013, 2016, 2020 and 2021 respectively, each with sustained winds of 195 mph (315 km/h). Occasionally, suggestions of using even higher wind speeds as the cutoff have been made. In a newspaper article published in November 2018,NOAAresearch scientist Jim Kossin said that the potential for more intense hurricanes was increasing as theclimate warmed,and suggested that Category 6 would begin at 195 mph (85 m/s; 170 kn; 315 km/h), with a further hypothetical Category 7 beginning at 230 mph (105 m/s; 200 kn; 370 km/h).[26]In 2024 another proposal to add "Category 6" was made, with a minimum wind speed of 192 mph (309 km/h), with risk factors such as theeffects of climate changeand warming ocean temperatures part of that research.[27]In the NHC area of responsibility, only Patricia had winds greater than 190 mph (85 m/s; 165 kn; 305 km/h).

According to Robert Simpson, co-creator of the scale, there are no reasons for a Category 6 on the Saffir–Simpson scale because it is designed to measure the potential damage of a hurricane to human-made structures. Simpson explained that "... when you get up into winds in excess of 155 mph (249 km/h) you have enough damage if that extreme wind sustains itself for as much as six seconds on a building it's going to cause rupturing damages that are serious no matter how well it's engineered."[6]Nonetheless, the counties ofBrowardandMiami-Dadein Florida have building codes which require that critical infrastructure buildings be able to withstand Category 5 winds.[28]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale".National Hurricane Center. 2018.RetrievedNovember 14,2020.
  2. ^"Minor Modification to Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale For the 2012 Hurricane Season"(PDF).National Hurricane Center. 2012.RetrievedNovember 14,2020.
  3. ^United States Navy:"Section 2. Intensity Observations and Forecast Errors".Archived fromthe originalon September 16, 2007.RetrievedJuly 4,2008.For US Navy interests, the factor 0.88 is used in going from a 1-minute system to a 10-minute system such that TEN-MINUTE MEAN = 0.88 * ONE-MINUTE MEAN or ONE-MINUTE MEAN = 1.14 * TEN-MINUTE MEAN.Retrieved on 2018-10-07.
  4. ^Williams, Jack (May 17, 2005)."Hurricane scale invented to communicate storm danger".USA Today.RetrievedFebruary 25,2007.
  5. ^Staff writer (May 9, 1973)."'73, Hurricanes to be Graded ".Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon May 19, 2016.RetrievedDecember 8,2007.
  6. ^abDebi Iacovelli (July 2001)."The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale: An Interview with Dr. Robert Simpson".Sun-Sentinel.Fort Lauderdale, FL. Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 10,2006.
  7. ^Press Writer (August 23, 2001)."Hurricanes shaped life of scale inventor".Archived fromthe originalon April 17, 2016.RetrievedMarch 20,2016.
  8. ^abcdefghThe Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind ScaleNational Hurricane Center.Accessed 2009-05-15.
  9. ^National Hurricane Operations PlanArchivedJuly 8, 2011, at theWayback Machine,NOAA.Accessed July 3, 2010.
  10. ^abcKer Than (October 20, 2005)."Wilma's Rage Suggests New Hurricane Categories Needed".LiveScience.RetrievedOctober 20,2005.
  11. ^"Experimental Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale"(PDF).National Hurricane Center. 2009. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 6, 2009.RetrievedAugust 17,2009.
  12. ^Public Information Statement,NOAA.Accessed March 9, 2012.
  13. ^Tropical Cyclone Weather Services Program (June 1, 2006)."Tropical cyclone definitions"(PDF).National Weather Service.RetrievedNovember 30,2006.
  14. ^Federal Emergency Management Agency(2004)."Hurricane Glossary of Terms".Archived fromthe originalon December 14, 2005.RetrievedMarch 24,2006.Accessed through theWayback Machine.
  15. ^"Name That Hurricane: Famous Examples of the 5 Hurricane Categories".Live Science.RetrievedSeptember 11,2017.
  16. ^"Famous Hurricanes of the 20th and 21st Century in the United States"(PDF).weather.gov/crh/.
  17. ^Blake, Eric (September 20, 2017).Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Update(Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center.RetrievedSeptember 20,2017.
  18. ^John L. Beven II; Robbie Berg; Andrew Hagen (April 19, 2019).Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Michael(PDF)(Technical report). National Hurricane Center.RetrievedApril 19,2019.
  19. ^Kantha, L. (January 2006)."Time to Replace the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale?".Eos.87(1): 3, 6.Bibcode:2006EOSTr..87....3K.doi:10.1029/2006eo010003.
  20. ^Kantha, Lakshmi (February 2008). "Tropical Cyclone Destructive Potential by Integrated Kinetic Energy".Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.89(2): 219–221.Bibcode:2008BAMS...89..219K.CiteSeerX10.1.1.693.5083.doi:10.1175/BAMS-89-2-219.
  21. ^Benfield Hazard Research Centre (2006)."Atmospheric Hazards".Hazard & Risk Science Review 2006.University College London.Archived fromthe originalon 7 August 2008.Retrieved8 December2007.
  22. ^Bill Blakemore (May 21, 2006)."Category 6 Hurricanes? They've Happened: Global Warming Winds Up Hurricane Scientists as NOAA Issues Its Atlantic Hurricane Predictions for Summer 2006".ABC News.RetrievedSeptember 10,2006.
  23. ^"Climate scientists mull Category 6 storm classification, report says".ABC News.February 22, 2018.
  24. ^"Hurricane Irma: Will Irma become world's first CATEGORY 6 hurricane with 200mph winds?".Daily Express.September 5, 2017.
  25. ^Debi Iacovelli and Tim Vasquez (1998)."Supertyphoon Tip: Shattering all records"(PDF).Monthly Weather Log.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedSeptember 19,2010.
  26. ^"Category 6? Scientists warn hurricanes could keep getting stronger".Tampa Bay Times.November 30, 2018.RetrievedNovember 30,2018.
  27. ^Wehner, Michael F.; Kossin, James P. (2024)."The growing inadequacy of an open-ended Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale in a warming world".PNAS.Vol. 121, no. 7.doi:10.1073/pnas.2308901121.RetrievedFebruary 5,2024.
  28. ^Jennifer Kay (September 2017)."Irma could test strength of Florida's strict building codes".The Washington Post.Washington, DC. Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 16,2017.

External links[edit]

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