Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Texas in August. Here's a breakdown of the Saffir-Simpson scale , according to the National Hurricane Center: Eta restrengthened into a hurricane Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico, less than 200 miles south of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The hurricane category scale has evolved over time, but in its current version, it only measures the wind speeds produced by a hurricane. 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. Hurricane Delta has weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moves inland along Louisiana’s southwestern coast. For instance, based on wind speed, Hurricane Katrina (2005) initially came ashore in Florida as a category 1 hurricane and made a second landfall in Louisiana as a category 3. Falling debris could strike people, livestock and pets, and older mobile homes could be destroyed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale only categorizes the hurricane wind threat, ranking storm intensity on a scale of Category 1 to 5. Hurricanes are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 using the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). Even though a category 1 is the weakest hurricane, it can still cause expensive damage. Collapse of many wide-span roofs and walls, especially those with no interior supports, is common. The U.S. National Hurricane Center classifies hurricanes of Category 3 and above as major hurricanes, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classifies typhoons of 150 mph or greater (strong Category 4 and Category 5) as super typhoons (although all tropical cyclones can be very dangerous). See the table to the right for all five categories with wind speeds in various units. The SFMR infers near-surface wind speed by passively sensing microwave radiation from the ocean surface. 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. it can generate a storm … Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to bring heavy rains and damaging wind to Puerto Rico on Wednesday before moving back over open water, where it may strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall along the Southeastern U.S. coastline by early Monday. A category 1 hurricane has maximum sustained winds in the range of 74 to 95 miles per hour. Poorly attached roof shingles or tiles can blow off. Even though a category 1 is the weakest hurricane, it can still cause expensive damage. Tropical Storm Dorian could become a major hurricane by the time it reaches the U.S., according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The Hurricane Hunters estimated a 700mb (approximately 8,000 feet) flight-level peak wind of 152 kts (when wind speeds are adjusted from flight-level to surface-level, this is around 137 knots) on their final pass through the storm at 1:23 pm EDT (12:23 pm CDT). Category 3 (major hurricane) Sustained wind speed: 111-129 mph "Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage … Category 1: Winds 74 to 95 mph, which will usually produce minor damage, including to trees and power lines. ... of winds topping Category 1 strength during Hurricane Irma, even though it … Some frame homes may totally collapse, while well-built homes will likely see severe damage to their roofs, and apartment buildings can experience damage to upper floors. Even before landfall, Isaias' effects were being felt in South and North Carolina. With winds from 111-130 mph. Mobile homes, whether anchored or not, are typically damaged and sometimes destroyed, and many manufactured homes also suffer structural damage. Hurricane Wilma was a Category 3 hurricane when it reached Florida’s coast in 2005, bringing initial winds of close to 120 mph. One of the most famous hurricanes in recent decades, Hurricane Andrew back in 1992, was a Category 5 hurricane when it hit Florida. Hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 74 mph to 95 mph are classified as Category 1 strength. Damage could include the following: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Arriving with Category 5 winds, Maria was the strongest hurricane on record to hit Dominica, inflicting more than $1 billion US in damage and … Category Three Hurricane (Sustained winds 111-129 mph, 96-112 kt, or 178-208 km/ h). Barry is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by landfall Saturday.. The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS), formerly the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale (SSHS), classifies hurricanes – Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones – that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms – into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds. To determine which category a storm belongs in, meteorologists use something called the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a hurricane's strength based sustained wind speed. With its 90 mph wind speed, Hanna is a Category 1 storm. The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is based on the highest wind speed averaged over a one-minute interval 10 m above the surface. Even though a category 1 … In a Category 1 hurricane, winds range from 74 to 95 mph. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. Large branches of trees may snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Updated: August 28, 2019 11:25 AM ET | Originally published: September 19, 2017 5:26 PM EDT. Water shortages are also common in the aftermath of Category 4 hurricanes, potentially making the affected area uninhabitable for weeks or months. See how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration breaks down the hurricane category scale here. So, Zeta was a low-end category 2, high end category 1 hurricane … That would keep the storm at or near Category 1 hurricane-level strength. 130-156 mph: Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage … Of the 37 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 eight had wind speeds at 180 mph (80 m/s; 160 kn; 290 km/h) or greater (the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Allen, Gilbert, Mitch, Rita, Wilma, Irma, and Dorian). Subscribe for just 99¢. A hurricane is considered Category 1 if it has sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour (mph) to 95 mph, Category 2 with speeds between 96 mph and 110 mph, and so on. Some people have been talking about creating a Category 6 hurricane designation, but a Category 5 already means near total destruction. Older mobile homes will likely be destroyed, and debris can ruin newer mobile homes, too. But the latest forecast indicates that residents in parts of Florida, Georgia, and even South Carolina should start preparing for a major hurricane, too. [7] While conducting the study, Saffir realized there was no simple scale for describing the likely effects of a hurricane. Hurricane Frances in 2004 was a Category 2 hurricane when it hit the west coast of Florida. A large number of trees are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas. [9] The scale excludes flood ranges, storm surge estimations, 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. The scale is roughly logarithmic in wind speed. While there are several precise types of “damage” thresholds for each wind speed category, for simplicity’s sake, we will look at the more broad-based kinds of damage expected for each hurricane category: Category 1 Hurricane. "[6] Nonetheless, the counties of Broward and Miami-Dade in Florida have building codes that require that critical infrastructure buildings be able to withstand Category 5 winds. There is some criticism of 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. When a hurricane is ranked as a Category 1 storm, you can expect to see wind speeds anywhere from 74-95 mph. However, loss of human and animal lives is minimal in the case of such storms. There is a bigger risk of injury or death to people, livestock and pets from flying debris. Nearly all older mobile homes will be destroyed, and most new ones will experience significant damage. A hurricane is considered Category 1 if it has sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour (mph) to 95 mph, Category 2 with speeds between 96 mph and 110 mph, and so on. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is named for Herbert Saffir (a noted civil engineer) and Dr. Robert Simpson (a former director of the National Hurricane Center).This hurricane scale has been in wide use since the 1970s.Until 2008, the Saffir-Simpson scale factored in such things as storm surge and central pressure. Category 1 hurricanes are considered the least destructive on the Wind Scale. Total and extremely long-lived power outages and water losses are to be expected, possibly for up to several months. A hurricane’s sustained wind speed determines a hurricane’s category. Hurricane watches, tropical storm warnings and storm … Proposed replacement classifications include the Hurricane Intensity Index, which is based on the dynamic pressure caused by a storm's winds, and the Hurricane Hazard Index, which is based on surface wind speeds, the radius of maximum winds of the storm, and its translational velocity. However, a category 1 hurricane with 95 mph winds will cause almost 7 times as much wind damage as the 75 mph storm. [10] Additionally, they and others point out that the Saffir–Simpson scale, unlike the Richter scale used to measure earthquakes, is not continuous, and is quantized into a small number of categories. Below is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which provides a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. Hurricanes are ranked on a 1 to 5 scale based on their sustained wind speeds. But the Saffir-Simpson scale only goes up to 5. In a Category 3 hurricane, winds range from 111 to 129 mph. When Hurricane Irma was headed toward the coast of southern Florida in August, it had maximum wind speeds of 185 mph, according to the New York Times. Hurricanes that peaked at Category 2 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include: Able (1952), Alice (1954), Ella (1958), Fifi (1974), Diana (1990), Gert (1993), Rosa (1994), Erin (1995), Alma (1996), Juan (2003), Alex (2010), Richard (2010), Tomas (2010), Carlotta (2012), Ernesto (2012), Arthur (2014), Sally (2020), and Zeta (2020). 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. This is considered to be a major hurricane. Category 4:Winds 130 to 156 mph lead to catastrophic damage to homes with winds strong enough to tear off roofs and walls. You have 1 free article left. Other areas use different scales to label these storms, which are called cyclones or typhoons, depending on the area. At these speeds, falling and flying debris poses a very high risk of injury or death to people, pets and livestock. The Category 1 storm had been growing stronger throughout the overnight hours and forecasters now expect it to make a second landfall in the state only days after striking the Florida Keys. These areas (except the JTWC) use three-minute or ten-minute averaged 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 a ten-minute interval (usually 12% less intense).[3]. Save on the cover price and get Free Issues, Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. In a Category 5 hurricane, the highest category hurricane, winds are 157 mph or higher. The minimum sustained wind speed of a Category 1 hurricane is 74 miles per hour. A Category 4 hurricane will blow out most windows on high-rise buildings, uproot most trees and will likely down many power lines. [19][20] Both of these scales are continuous, akin to the Richter scale;[21] however, neither of these scales have been used by officials. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required if the hurricane threatens populated areas. The NHC and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center assign tropical cyclone intensities in 5 knot increments, and then convert to mph and km/h with a similar rounding for other reports. Category 1, for example, is considered "very dangerous" while a Category 5 storm is "catastrophic." To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute-average maximum sustained winds at 10 m above the surface of at least 74 mph (Category 1). Only a few storms of this intensity have been recorded. Frame homes, apartments and shopping centers may experience some damage, and snapped power lines could result in short-term power outages. Hurricanes that peaked at Category 1 intensity and made landfall at that intensity include: Agnes (1972), Juan (1985), Ismael (1995), Danny (1997), Claudette (2003), Gaston (2004), Stan (2005), Humberto (2007), Isaac (2012), Manuel (2013), Earl (2016), Hermine (2016), Nate (2017), Barry (2019), Lorena (2019), Hanna (2020), Isaias (2020), and Nana (2020). because of the inherent uncertainty in estimating the strength of tropical cyclones. And like with Category 4 hurricanes, power outages will likely last for weeks to months. Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds between 74 and 95 mph. These storms cause extensive beach erosion, while terrain may be flooded far inland. Hurricanes are classified further into Category 1 to 5 according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHS). The maximum sustained wind gusts will be between 39 mph and 73 mph. The scale separates hurricanes into five categories based on wind speed and is used to estimate potential property damage. At a Category 1, the damages will be minor with the potential for small trees to be uprooted from the ground and branches snapping off of trees. A depression will be upgraded to a tropical storm when cyclonic circulation becomes more organized. It turns out, a hurricane's category is only based on one thing: wind speed. This helps estimate potential property damage along a hurricane’s path. 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. Category 1 hurricanes produce dangerous winds that have speeds of about 119-153 km/h. ... sustained a wind speed … So while there is a measurement difference between 157 mph winds and 200 mph winds, there may not be much practical difference in terms of destructive force between a Category 5 hurricane and what might be labeled as a Category 6 hurricane. Category 2:Winds 96 to 110 mph, that could result in extensive damage, uprooting trees, breaking windows, and snapping power lines. Coastal flooding and pier damage are often associated with Category 1 storms. Even a category 1 hurricane or a tropical storm can bring serious damage and risk to life and limb, but people in their path may underestimate the danger they pose because of how they’re categorized. Hg Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com. For instance, based on wind speed, Hurricane Katrina (2005) initially came ashore in Florida as a category 1 hurricane and made a second landfall in Louisiana as a category 3. CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE: A tropical storm with winds of 39-73 mph becomes a hurricane when it's winds near the center reach 74 mph. These storms can cause some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, particularly those of wood frame or manufactured materials with minor curtain wall failures. Subscribe for just 99¢. Category 5 is the highest category of the Saffir–Simpson scale. People, livestock and pets can be in danger from flying debris, even indoors. Mobile and manufactured homes are often flattened. Again, most mobile homes will be destroyed, even newer ones. Hurricane Katrina was also a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall in Louisiana, but it also brought high levels of storm surge that levees in Louisiana and New Orleans couldn’t hold up against, which is part of what made it so destructive. 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. Scientists warn hurricanes could keep getting stronger", "Irma could test strength of Florida's strict building codes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saffir–Simpson_scale&oldid=1006395632#Category_1, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 February 2021, at 17:36. 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). 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. However, a category 1 hurricane with 95 mph winds will cause almost 7 times as much wind damage as the 75 mph storm. Only three hurricanes have made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane since 1924. Hurricanes are categorized on a scale of one through five using the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is based on sustained wind speed: Category 1: 74-95 mph; Category 2: 96-110 mph; Category 3: 111-129 mph Average wind speed for a cat. (157 or higher mph) This is a catastrophe. There is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane. Even well-constructed homes could be reduced to timber. That’s enough to earn you a speeding ticket. Can make areas u… The National Hurricane Center (NHC) takes sustained winds to be the average wind speed measured over the period of one minute at the height of 10 metres (33 ft) above the ground. According to The Weather Channel, the scale was developed in the 1970s by Miami engineer Herbert Saffir and Robert Simpson, a meteorologist who was director of the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Laura made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on Thursday morning with wind speeds around 150 mph. Hurricanes of Category 3 and higher are classified as "major" hurricanes. Category 1: Speeding Ticket. the wind speed maps is the introduction of a new wind speed map for Risk Category IV buildings and structures. While over the northwestern Bahamas, Dorian was the slowest-moving major hurricane - Category 3 or stronger - on record in the Atlantic Basin, crawling at 1 … Isolated incidents of fatalities may occur primarily due to injury by falling or flying debris. In a newspaper article published in November 2018, NOAA research scientist Jim Kossin said that the potential for more intense hurricanes was increasing as the climate warmed, and suggested that Category 6 would begin at 195 mph (87 m/s; 169 kn; 314 km/h), with a further hypothetical Category 7 beginning at 230 mph (100 m/s; 200 kn; 370 km/h). Please attempt to sign up again. They've Happened: Global Warming Winds Up Hurricane Scientists as NOAA Issues Its Atlantic Hurricane Predictions for Summer 2006", "Climate scientists mull Category 6 storm classification, report says", "Hurricane Irma: Will Irma become world's first CATEGORY 6 hurricane with 200mph winds? Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, while larger structures are struck by floating debris. [8] The new scale became operational on May 15, 2010. The maximum sustained wind speed is 95 miles per hour. A Category 5 hurricane is likely to uproot most trees and ruin most power poles. Most storms which would be eligible for this category were typhoons in the western Pacific, most notably Typhoon Tip in 1979 and Typhoon Halong in 2019, each with sustained winds of 190 mph (305 km/h),[25] and typhoons Haiyan, Meranti, and Goni in 2013, 2016 and 2020, respectively, each with sustained winds of 195 mph (315 km/h). Most trees, except for the hardiest, are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas.