What Does Category 5 Mean For Hurricane Irma And Why Isn't There A 6?
As hurricane season ramps up, what is a Category 5? Why is there no Category 6?
Hurricanes are measured on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which was first developed in 1971. It was developed by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson who was running the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at the time. It was introduced to the public in 1973. The scale at first incorporated other factors, but now refers simply to how fast the wind is blowing.
A Category 5 hurricane means that it has winds blowing 157 miles per hour or more.