Experts are afraid of this

As climate change worsens, experts are increasingly concerned about the potential emergence of Category 6 hurricanes. Rising ocean temperatures are contributing to storms not only becoming less frequent but also becoming significantly stronger, raising the question of whether the current Saffir-Simpson Scale is suitable for these extreme cases. Researchers are now advocating for a new category to better communicate the risks associated with these unprecedented storms.

Understanding the current hurricane wind scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorizes hurricanes based on their sustained wind specifications, ranging from Category 1 (70 miles per hour) to Category 5 (157 miles per hour or more), indicating catastrophic damage.

However, a recent study suggests that hurricanes with winds exceeding 190 mph (310 km/h) should warrant a new classification to Category 6, as five storms have been found to have exceeded that threshold since 2013.

According to Michael Wehner, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, “some Category 3 storms are truly deadly, and some Category 5 storms are not when they make landfall.”

This inconsistency highlights the inadequacy of the current scale in representing actual hurricane threats.

The fall of a Category 6 hurricane

Proponents of a Category 6 designation emphasize the need to adjust the scale in light of changing climate patterns. They argue that while the Saffir-Simpson scale has served its purpose, it does not take into account the growing intensity of storms fueled by climate change.

“The trend in speed limits is actually quite strong,” Wehner notes, pointing to the recent increase in hurricane wind speeds.

However, the concept of adding a new category to the Saffir-Simpson scale was met with skepticism by some meteorologists, including AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. He claims that “it is not clear how an additional category…would improve preparation or decisions.”

There are concerns that this could reduce the urgency of lower category storms, which can be equally devastating.

Broader impacts of hurricane intensity

The main danger of hurricanes lies not only in their wind strength, but also in the associated dangers such as storm surges and heavy rain. Dr. Joel Myers, founder of AccuWeather, emphasizes that the scale “alone does not capture all of the severe impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms.”

This is critical because studies show that about 76% of hurricane-related deaths are due to flooding and storm surge rather than wind damage.

Additionally, Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), emphasized the importance of focusing on the individual risks posed by storms rather than over-emphasizing their category.

“At NHC we tried to focus on individual threats,” explains Brennan.

As the climate continues to change, the urgency for improved communication about the risks associated with hurricanes becomes increasingly important. Researchers recommend a more nuanced approach that incorporates a range of storms – including flooding and storm surges – into other messages that accompany hurricane classifications.

“Our results are not intended to suggest changes of this magnitude, but rather to raise awareness that wind hazard risks from storms currently classified as Category 5 have increased,” says James Kossin, an atmospheric scientist.

As the debate over the need for a Category 6 hurricane continues to rage, it is apparent that the current wind scale may not fully reflect the evolving nature of storms. Increasing hurricane intensity and changing climate patterns require a reassessment of how we communicate risk. As Wehner says, “We don’t anticipate that the hurricane center or (the World Meteorological Organization) will add this Category 6,” but the conversation is important to increase public awareness and safety.