What Do Hurricane Categories Actually Mean?

As climate change worsens, so does hurricane season. But what do meteorologists and news anchors mean when they talk about hurricane categories, like Category 1, Category 3 or Category 5? Most people simply want to know how much water and wind to expect, and what a hurricane will mean for their safety. Hurricane categories can’t predict everything about a storm, but categories do give an indication of how a hurricane will affect people and property in its path. Here’s what you need to know about hurricane categories. Where do hurricane categories come from? Hurricanes are measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which runs from Category 1 up to Category 5. 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. The hurricane category scale has evolved over time, but in its current version, it only measures the wind speeds produced by a hurricane. This means the different hurricane category designations won’t tell you about the flooding or tornadoes that might accompany hurricanes, but they can give you a sense of how strong a hurricane might be and what kind of threat they present. See how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration breaks down the hurricane category scale here. Category 1 hurricane: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage In a Category 1 hurricane, winds range from 74 to 95 mph. Fa...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized hurricane onetime weather Source Type: news