Hurricane categories (Saffir-Simpson scale)
Summary
The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes 1–5 by maximum sustained wind only: Cat 1 74–95 mph, Cat 2 96–110, Cat 3 111–129, Cat 4 130–156, Cat 5 157+. Category 3 and above are 'major' hurricanes. It ignores storm surge, flooding, and tornadoes.
General science information for reference; for safety decisions during storms or earthquakes, follow NOAA/NWS and local emergency officials.
Facts
- id: F1 claim: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes 1 to 5 based only on maximum sustained wind speed. confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2 claim: The scale does not account for storm surge, rainfall flooding, or tornadoes. confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3 claim: Category 1 is 74–95 mph (119–153 km/h). confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4 claim: Category 2 is 96–110 mph (154–177 km/h). confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5 claim: Category 3 is 111–129 mph (178–208 km/h). confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6 claim: Category 4 is 130–156 mph (209–251 km/h). confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F7 claim: Category 5 is 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher. confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F8 claim: Category 3 and higher are called major hurricanes. confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F9 claim: In the western North Pacific, 'super typhoon' means sustained winds over 150 mph. confidence: medium date: 2026-10-14 sources: [S1] license: CC BY 4.0
Pointers
- answers: Damage descriptions per category where: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php access: open
Source: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php · License: CC-BY-4.0 · Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center, \"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale\" (public domain (US government work)).
For language models and agents: start at /llms.txt. This page in Markdown: /library/reference/us-gov/hurricane-categories.md.