Weather Around The World

Hurricane Scale

Summary

Category

Pressure mb

Winds mph

Surge ft

Depression

<39

Trop. Storm

39-73

Hurricane 1

> 980

74-95

4-5

Hurricane 2

965-980

96-110

6-8

Hurricane 3

945-965

111-130

9-12

Hurricane 4

920-945

131-155

13-18

Hurricane 5

< 920

> 155

> 18

Explanation

Category

Wind Speed

Barometric Pressure

Storm Surge

Damage Potential

1
(Weak)

74 - 95 mph
65 - 82 kts

28.94" or more
980.02 mb or more

4.0' - 5.0'
1.2 m - 1.5 m

Minimal damage to vegetation

Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Hurricanes Allison of 1995 and Danny of 1997 were Category One hurricanes at peak intensity.

2
(Moderate)

96 - 110 mph
83 - 95 kts

28.50" - 28.93"
965.12 mb - 979.68 mb

6.0' - 8.0'
1.8 m - 2.4 m

Moderate damage to houses

Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Hurricane Bertha of 1996 was a Category Two hurricane when it hit the North Carolina coast, while Hurricane Marilyn of 1995 was a Category Two Hurricane when it passed through the Virgin Islands.

3
(Strong)

111 - 130 mph
96 - 113 kts

27.91" - 28.49"
945.14 mb - 964.78 mb

9.0' - 12.0'
2.7 m - 3.7 m

Extensive damage to small buildings

Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required. Hurricanes Roxanne of 1995 and Fran of 1996 were Category Three hurricanes at landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in North Carolina, respectively.

4
(Very strong)

131 - 155 mph
114 - 135 kts

27.17" - 27.90"
920.08 mb - 944.80 mb

13.0' - 18.0'
3.9 m - 5.5 m

Extreme structural damage

Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). Hurricane Luis of 1995 was a Category Four hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands. Hurricanes Felix and Opal of 1995 also reached Category Four status at peak intensity.

5
(Devastating)

Greater than 155 mph
Greater than 135 kts

Less than 27.17"
Less than 920.08 mb

Greater than 18.0'
Greater than 5.5m

Catastrophic building failures possible

Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. There were no Category Five hurricanes in 1995, 1996, or 1997. Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record.

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