Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1-5 (Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale). If a scientist clocked winds at 120 mph, what category would this storm be?

Question

Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1-5 (Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale). If a scientist clocked winds at 120 mph, what category would this storm be?

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS)

Category

5

Wind (mph)

Damage

>= 157

Catastrophic

4

130-156

Catastrophic

3

111-129

Devastating

2

96-110

Extensive

1

74-95

Some

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Non-Hurricane Classifications

Tropical Storm

39-73

Tropical Depression

<= 38

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sciencenotes.org

Answer 1

Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1-5 (Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale). If a scientist clocked winds at 120 mph, what category would this storm be?

Based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a storm with winds at 120 mph would be classified as a Category 3 hurricane.