It’s hurricane season for the East Coast of the United States, and, as regular, the Southeast is taking the brunt of latest storms. Now that Hurricane Helene has handed, Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton. After the incoming hurricane intensified to the best class, storm watchers are questioning how excessive the class scale goes.
Hurricane Milton Strengthens to a Category 5
On October 7, Hurricane Milton had strengthened right into a Category 3, then shortly escalated to a Category 4 storm. Just hours later, it was categorized as a Category 5 by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
“MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE,” the NHC tweeted. “Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane point out that Milton has strengthened to a class 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with increased gusts.”
Florida is now beneath a state of emergency, and a number of counties have been issued evacuation orders. Moreover, sure Orlando sights, akin to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Resort, are monitoring the hurricane.
…MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE…
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane point out that Milton has strengthened to a class 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with increased gusts. pic.twitter.com/zUwi2CNJhi
— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024
Is There a Category 6 Hurricane?
There isn’t any such factor as a Category 6 hurricane, regardless of on-line rumors. Dramatizations of inclement climate have been created over time, such because the catastrophe miniseries Category 7: The End of the World.
What Is the Highest Hurricane Category?
The highest class hurricane is a Category 5, in line with the Saffir-Simpson scale. Per the National Weather Service (NWS), the size from 1 to five measures wind velocity.
“This scale estimates potential property injury,” the NWS’ website reads. “Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and better are thought-about main hurricanes due to their potential for vital lack of life and injury.”
A Category 1 storm has winds between 74 to 95 miles per hour, whereas a Category 2 has winds starting from 96 to 110 miles per hour. A Category 3 hurricane may have winds between 111 to 129 miles per hour, and a Category 4 is measured at 130 to 156 miles per hour.
A Category 5 hurricane has winds of 157 miles per hour or increased. One of probably the most harmful Category 5 storms to hit Florida was in 1992 throughout Hurricane Andrew.