On the Saffir-Simpson scale, there are only 5 levels a storm can reach, but the constant exceeding of the last level prompts scientists to consider increasing it
given that increasing strength of hurricanes In the last decade, some experts have been discussing expanding the intensity scale used to classify the phenomenon, thus creating Category 6 hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. The proposal comes from scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Currently the categorization of such events only ranges from 1 to 5, based on a maximum of wind speed supported. In Category 5, a hurricane must have a speed of 155 mph (252 km/h) or more. As several storms have exceeded this limit in recent years, there has been a lack of a larger scale to define how much stronger the phenomenon is.
More intense hurricanes
When a hurricane reaches Category 5, extensive damage occurs wherever it passes, toppling trees and poles and destroying homes. The affected area ends up becoming uninhabitable for weeks or even months. Since 2013, at least five storms have reached the proposed Category 6, which would be defined by speeds at or above 309 km/h.
These were Hurricane Patricia and Typhoons Meranti, Goni, Haiyan, and Surigae. The first hit Mexico and parts of the United States in 2015, with winds of up to 346 km/h, making it the most powerful tropical cyclone of the Western Hemisphere. With climate change, the trend will only get worse Hurricanes also influence ocean warming.
Higher sea surface temperatures give hurricanes more energy, increasing its intensity and the speed of its winds. Additionally, they may become slower, stay in the affected areas longer, and cause more damage. No official agency has adopted category 6 for the Saffir-Simpson scale, but at least since 2019, with Hurricane Dorian, the idea has been floated by other experts.
The problem with the 5-level scale is that the most extreme ones left us room to get lost in the classification: since we consider any speed above 252 km/h, we lose the reference. In a time of weaker cyclones, it may not have made sense to increase levels, but now it does. As climate crises worsen, more severe storms will become more likely and adoption of the new category will become imminent.
Trends on Canaltech:
- 12 old apps that still exist and work
- Why haven’t we found aliens yet? The black hole could be the answer
- The sky is not the limit! | Rare Aurora, Japanese Lander, Lake on Mars and More
- Microsoft offers 5,000 places for technology training courses
- Galaxy S24 Ultra Review | Even better cameras and native AI
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
