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Hurricane Milton has been a powerful force, fluctuating in intensity and sparking conversations about whether storms like this could one day be classified as a “Category 6.” The question is understandable, especially as Milton recently surged from a Category 4 to a Category 5 before being downgraded again to Category 4. But can hurricanes really exceed Category 5 status? The short answer is no—there is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane.
The Classification of Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton has been in flux. On Monday, Oct. 7, the storm intensified to a Category 5 with maximum sustained winds over 157 mph, but by early Tuesday morning, it was downgraded back to a Category 4. Currently, Milton is situated about 520 miles southwest of Tampa, Fla., packing winds of 150 mph as it heads towards a potential landfall on the Florida coast. Despite these changes, the storm has ignited questions about whether hurricanes can grow beyond the existing scale.
Why There’s No Category 6
To understand why a Category 6 hurricane doesn’t exist, we need to examine the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale, used by meteorologists and the National Weather Service, categorizes hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds. The scale has five categories:
- Category 1: Winds of 74-95 mph, capable of causing “some damage.”
- Category 2: Winds of 96-110 mph, resulting in “extensive damage.”
- Category 3: Winds of 111-129 mph, producing “devastating damage.”
- Category 4: Winds of 130-156 mph, causing “catastrophic damage.”
- Category 5: Winds of 157 mph or higher, leading to “catastrophic damage.”
No matter how powerful a storm becomes, once its wind speeds surpass 157 mph, it remains classified as a Category 5. There is no formal category beyond this because the damage and danger at that level are already considered catastrophic. The highest winds ever recorded in hurricanes and typhoons have exceeded 190 mph, yet they were all still categorized as Category 5.
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Could a Category 6 Ever Be Necessary?
Some experts argue that the current scale might not fully capture the increasing intensity of storms fueled by climate change. Climate scientist Michael Wehner and retired federal scientist Jim Kossin have pointed out that hurricanes like Milton, if their winds surpass 192 mph, would enter a rare group of storms. Between 2013 and 2020, five storms in the Pacific reached these unprecedented levels, according to USA Today.
Yet, despite this open-ended nature of Category 5, many experts still believe there’s no need for a Category 6. The real danger from hurricanes is often not the wind but the storm surge and rainfall, which are the main causes of death and destruction.
What’s Next for Hurricane Milton?
As of Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, the National Hurricane Center reported that Milton is forecasted to continue its track across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It’s expected to make landfall along Florida’s west-central coast by Wednesday evening. While the storm’s exact impact is still uncertain, residents in the storm’s path should remain prepared for significant wind, rain, and flooding.
While Milton is a formidable storm, the idea of a Category 6 remains a misconception. The existing system captures the upper limits of storm intensity, and experts say the focus should be on water, not just wind, when considering a hurricane’s destructive potential.
For those following Milton’s path, remember that hurricanes can change quickly, and staying informed through official sources is crucial for safety.
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