Climate Change Impact
Climate change is driving up more than just Earth’s temperature. It’s making hurricanes more intense, too, which should prompt a reevaluation of storm categorization.
Category 6 Proposal
Researchers suggest adding a Category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to better warn communities of extreme wind risks.
Why Category 6?
Category 5’s “or higher” designation raises concerns among scientists, leading to the proposal of a new classification for hurricanes with sustained winds of at least 192 mph.
Rising Risk
With global temperatures on the rise, the frequency of Category 6 hurricanes could increase, posing significant risks to coastal areas.
Historical Context
Recent storms, like Hurricane Patricia and Typhoon Haiyan, have already exceeded the proposed Category 6 wind speeds, indicating the urgency of the classification change.
Future Implications
If global warming continues unchecked, Category 6 hurricanes could become more common, leading to devastating consequences similar to past catastrophic storms.