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Hurricane Milton is a powerful force and fluctuates in strength, sparking debate about whether such a storm will ever be classified as a “Category 6.” The question is understandable, especially considering Milton’s recent rapid growth. Category 4~a Category 5 But can a hurricane really surpass Category 5 status? The short answer is no. There is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane.
Hurricane Milton classification
Hurricane Milton’s situation is becoming unstable. On Monday, October 7, the storm intensified to Category 5, with maximum sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, but dissipated by early Tuesday morning. downgraded to category 4. Milton is currently located approximately 820 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with winds of 150 mph and heading toward potential landfall on the Florida coast. Despite these changes, the storm raises questions about whether hurricanes can grow beyond their existing size.
Why is there no category 6?
To understand why there are no Category 6 hurricanes, we need to look at: Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale is used by meteorologists and the National Weather Service to classify hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds. The scale has five categories.
- Category 1: Wind speeds ranged from 114 to 95 mph and could cause “some damage.”
- Category 2: Winds of 96 to 110 mph caused “significant damage.”
- Category 3: Winds ranged from 111 to 199 mph, causing “catastrophic damage.”
- Category 4: Winds of 130 to 156 mph will cause “catastrophic damage.”
- Category 5: Winds of 157 mph or faster can cause “catastrophic damage.”
No matter how powerful a storm becomes, if wind speeds exceed 157 miles per hour, it will remain classified as a Category 5. There is no formal category beyond this, as that level of damage and risk is already considered catastrophic. The highest wind speeds ever recorded for hurricanes and typhoons are over 190 miles per hour, all of which are classified as Category 5.
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Is it possible that a Category 6 will be needed?
Some experts argue that current scale may not fully capture the intensity of storms that will become more intense due to climate change. Climate scientist Michael Wehner and former federal scientist Jim Kossin noted that hurricanes like Milton can fall into the rare group of storms when wind speeds exceed 192 mph. . According to , between 2013 and 2020, five storms in the Pacific reached unprecedented levels. USA Today.
However, despite this open-ended nature of Category 5, many experts still believe there is no need for 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 after Hurricane Milton?
As of Tuesday morning, October 8th, National Hurricane Center Milton reported that it is expected to continue sailing through the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida by Wednesday evening. Although the exact effects of the storm are still unknown, residents in the storm’s path should prepare for significant winds, rain, and flooding.
Although Milton is a formidable storm, the idea that it is a Category 6 remains a misconception. Existing systems know the upper limits of storm strength, and experts argue that when considering a hurricane’s destructive power, it should focus on water, not just wind.
Those following Milton’s path should remember that hurricanes can change rapidly and staying informed through official sources is important for safety.
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Source: Gayety – gayety.co
