Sep 19, 2017 · But what do meteorologists and news anchors actually mean when they talk about hurricane categories, like Category 1, Category 3, or Category 5?

Aug 18, 2025 · Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which includes five categories based on the storm's sustained wind speeds.

While all hurricanes produce life-threatening winds, hurricanes rated Category 3 and higher are known as major hurricanes*. Major hurricanes can cause devastating to catastrophic wind …

Jun 1, 2025 · Learn about the 5 hurricane categories, from Category 1 to 5. Our simple guide explains the Saffir-Simpson scale and the damage each level can cause.

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) is a tropical cyclone intensity scale that classifies hurricanes —which in the Western Hemisphere are tropical cyclones that exceed the …

Sep 26, 2025 · The Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale is how hurricanes are rated and can estimate potential property damage. Here is how it works, and to learn even more about the Saffir …

Jun 4, 2019 · The scale has five categories, increasing in intensity from 1 to 5. Initially, Saffir and Simpson created the scale based solely on wind speed. Later, Simpson added storm-surge …

Throughout this article, we will explore each category in detail, its characteristics and consequences, as well as analyze the evolution of this scale over time.

Oct 1, 2024 · It’s a number attached to every hurricane, crucial to emergency response teams and city officials to mobilize preparedness: the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, characterized …

The National Weather Service rates hurricanes by their intensity, using a scale of one to five. The scale, which is outlined below, categorizes storms according to their sustained winds; the …