Category 6 is the new hurricane normal, scientists warn

Scientists are warning that Category 5 hurricanes, the most severe on the current scale, may no longer be sufficient to describe the intensity of storms fueled by human-caused climate change. These supercharged hurricanes are becoming stronger, intensifying more rapidly, and moving faster, leading to greater destruction and life-threatening conditions. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, established in 2010, caps at Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 157 miles per hour. However, some storms that have occurred since then would have qualified as Category 6 if such a classification existed, with wind speeds potentially exceeding 185 miles per hour. Experts believe that the current scale may be outdated and inadequately reflects the increasing power of hurricanes like Melissa, which caused devastating damage in Jamaica and Cuba. The argument for adding a Category 6 to the scale is that it would better acknowledge the heightened threat posed by climate-fueled storms and the greater damage they can inflict on structures designed for Category 5 conditions. Furthermore, some scientists suggest that the scale might need a more comprehensive overhaul to account for precipitation, which is a significant contributor to hurricane-related economic impacts. While some scientists advocate for the addition of a Category 6 to better categorize these extreme events and separate them from lesser storms, others express reservations. Concerns include the difficulty of comparing fu... download the app to read more