What scale do scientists use to measure Hurricanes?
The intensity of a hurricane is measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This rates the storms from one to five based on sustained wind speed and the potential property damage those winds can cause.
What kind of scale is use to rate Hurricanes?
The Saffir-Simpson scale, also known as SSHWS, is used to classify hurricanes and tropical storms. A tropical cyclone in the western hemisphere that surpasses the limit of tropical storms and depressions is classified as a hurricane.
What scales are hurricanes measured on?
We measure hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which classifies storms from weaker (Category 1) to stronger (Category 5) based on their maximum sustained wind speeds. Some storms are also more intense, reaching wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
How does the Saffir-Simpson scale rate Hurricanes?
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.
How many categories are there in the hurricane scale?
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 levels. Low atmospheric pressure is also associated with hurricanes.
How high was Hurricane Katrina?
However, storm surge associated with Hurricane Katrina was over 30 ft (9 m) in some areas, which would classify it as a category 5 hurricane. Another example is Hurricane Ike (2008). While in the Gulf of Mexico, Ike downgraded to a category 2 hurricane as it approached the Texas shoreline.
What is the Saffir Simpson scale?
NOAA image. In the early 1970s, Herbert Saffir, an engineer, and Robert Simpson, a meteorologist, developed a scale to describe the likely effects that hurricanes could have on an area. The scale has five categories, increasing in intensity from 1 to 5.
How many people died in Hurricane Ike?
As a result, 112 people died. Hurricane Ike actually caused storm surge typical of a category 4 or 5 hurricane along the Texas coast.
Is Hurricane Katrina a wind event?
Yet, hurricanes are much more than wind events. 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.
Is wind speed a factor in the Saffir-Simpson scale?
A Problem with the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Because storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region, wind speed is the determining factor in the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale ( National Weather Service 2009a ). Yet, hurricanes are much more than wind events.
What is the speed of a Category 3 hurricane?
Category 3. These are major hurricanes occurring in the Eastern Pacific or Atlantic basins. They blow at a speed of 111-129 miles per hour. The storms cause considerable damage to utility buildings and small residences with manufactured materials, minor curtain wall fractures, or wood framed houses.
Why is the NOAA scale used for wind speed?
As such, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decided that the scale should be modified to use only wind speed because wind is a more consistent way of measuring a hurricane's intensity. Benjamin Elisha Sawe August 1 2017 in Environment. Home.
What damage can a hurricane cause?
Extensive damage to power poles and lines might cause power outages for several days. Coastal flooding and pier damages are often associated with these hurricanes.
How fast can a Category 2 storm go?
Category 2. Here, the storms are extremely dangerous with a speed of 96 to 110 miles per hour which causes extensive damage to well constructed permanent structures and can blow off roofs, and damage windows and doors. Poorly established signs and piers also receive considerable damage. Many trees are snapped or uprooted.
What is the Saffir-Simpson scale used for?
The Saffir-Simpson scale, also known as SSHWS, is used to classify hurricanes and tropical storms. A tropical cyclone in the western hemisphere that surpasses the limit of tropical storms and depressions is classified as a hurricane. The particular tropical storm must have maximally sustained winds traveling at least between 74-95 miles per hour.
