Lately the public has heard a lot about a possibility of adding a new category of storms known as the Category 6 hurricane. At present, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which rates hurricanes based on the storm’s intensity, has the scale highest possible rating for storms with mean wind speeds just above 157mph (252km/h). But as climate change continues to intensify weather patterns, the question arises: Is it then the case that we are moving towards a time when a Category 6 hurricane becomes possible?
This article looks at predictors of what would be involved in a Category 6 hurricane and the US scientific controversy that surrounds the categorization, and possible implications of such hurricanes.
This paper shall unveil how meteorologists understand the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
The Saffir-Simpson scale created in the initial 1970s by an engineer Herbert Saffir and a meteorologist Robert Simpson divides hurricanes according to their wind and anticipated devastation speed. It breaks down as follows:
- Category 1: Winds of 40174-558.85 KPH – Occasional damage
- Category 2: Winds of 96-110 mph – There is likely moderate damage.
- Category 3: Winds of between 111-129 mph – Catastrophic damage (major hurricane)
- Category 4: Winds of 130-156 mph – loss of roof structure, and complete destruction (major hurricane)
- Category 5: Winds that are 157 mph or above – people’s lives threatened, extreme damage (class 5 hurricane).
Currently, there is only the Category 5, designed to address storms, which in the past, have wrought much destruction such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
The current structures of the storms which are categorized in the fifth category is likely to be inadequate as the hurricanes get stronger with increased ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions to the extent that the current strengths that are categorized in fifth category hurricanes have been enhanced to far stronger winds.
Category 6 Hurricane Exists: What That Would Look Like
At present there isn’t a sixth category in the Saffir-Simpson scale but were it be introduced, it is expected that it would measure storms with a sustained wind speed of more than 180 mph or to 200 mph and effecting even more catastrophe than a category five hurricane.
The characteristics of such a storm would include:
- Extreme Wind Speeds: Maximum wind speeds of 200 m.p.h plus or a storm which leaves almost all types of buildings and structures individuals no matter how well constructed flattened. Such winds not only could tear homes and businesses apart, but would also pull out trees by the roots, bring down power poles and severely affect infrastructure.
- Unprecedented Storm Surge: However, the most dangerous aspect of any hurricane is flood, by which the ocean is propelled into the low lying coastal plain. An example of which would be a Category 6 storm which would generate a surge big enough to flood the coastal areas way beyond what current projections would show.
- Intense Rainfall and Flooding: In addition to offering devastating gales, hurricanes provide substantial amounts of precipitation. Where a Category 6 storm could produce several feet of rain, it would likely destroy even the best flood protection systems and result in deadly flash floods and landslides.
- Widespread and Long-Lasting Power Outages: Circuitry of power grids would be cut off creating blackouts for weeks and or even months depending on the area. It would be practically impossible to restore electricity, water and other basic amenities in the event of such a storm.
- Massive Economic and Environmental Impact: The losses from a 6-category hurricane would not be of a destructive nature only but of a calculative one as well. Obviously, the total economic impacts resulting from the climate change may cost up to hundreds billions of dollars yearly, while the agriculture, energy, and tourism could be the most affected sector on the long-run. Further the ultraviolet impacts and damage by extreme winds and floods can harm ecosystems and shift animals.
Science of Stronger Hurricanes
Unfortunately, when the planet heats up through man-made climate change, the number and intensity of hurricanes surge. Warmer ocean temperatures feed the energy that fuels the Hurricanes. Climate scientists find that each degree Celsius (1.8 degree Fahrenheit) rise in sea surface temperature that could potentially raise the wind speed with a storm by 5-10%.
The results indicate that not only are hurricanes increasing in strength but that their rates of intensification are also on the rise at an unprecedented rate. According to a research article presented in Nature Communications in 2020, the rates of formation of tropical cyclones have intensified in the recent decades. These are the hurricanes that strengthen at a high rate — by more than 35 mph at 24-hours interval and these are increasing with improved time for preparation and evacuation.
As they progress, what was once considered just a Category 5 hurricanes that are very rare occurrences may become more of frequent occurrences thereby demanding a conversation about a Category 6 hurricane.
The Debate: Is Category 6 Necessary?
Discussions have been made about the creation of Category 6 hurricane classification among meteorologists and climate scientist. Others have pointed out that there is already arguably a Category 5 to describe extreme levels of damage and that any expansion only creates confusion amongst stakeholders. Some critics argue that the scale requires change in implementation as registered storms’ intensity rises and marvels simplify the nature of threats noted.
They say that a Category 6 classification would help us have a clearer picture of the kind of storms we are going to experience in the future. The amount of destruction between a storm of let say 160 mph wind or a storm of 200 mph is huge and known to cause maximal damage. Some of them think that with the help of a new, higher category people will be informed about the increase in dangerous that is connected with stronger hurricanes and will be more prepared to disasters.
Critics argue that concentration on the wind velocity distorts the risks associated with hurricanes, that are rainfall, storm surge and flooding, for instance. They proposed that a scale devoted to specifying overall storm impacts would be more helpful; they did not endorse adding a new category of scale.
Preparing for the Future
As for the controversy over the possible addition to a Category 6, there is little doubt that hurricanes are getting more powerful. Coastal residents, emergency managers, and policy makers must anticipate that they may have to deal with more severe storms than in the past.
Larger investments in climate adaptation, from enhancing physical structures to enhancing the plans to evacuate or relocate, are going to prove to be an essential component of recovery in future storms. Governments will have to condition their communities to act more effectively with enhanced codification of structure construction, improved storm prediction procedure, and viable calamity response treatments.
Conclusion
The ideas of having a Category 6 hurricane is not just some imaginary concept anymore. Increasingly severe hurricanes which result from climate change could put paid to the seriously alarming kinetic might of such storms require a new category all together. Even though, there is no such thing known as Category 6 today, the increased frequency of hurricanes’ formation should be a wakeup call to societies worldwide to step up on disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts, and work globally on prevention of climate change. The future of classifications may very well find itself changing progressively as supercharged storms heighten as the new normal in the hurricane industry.
