If a storm is a Category 3, 4 or 5, it is deemed a "major" hurricane due to the potential for "significant loss of life and damage," the National Hurricane Center says. Hurricanes that fall into categories 1 or 2 are still considered dangerous, the center says.

How does the Saffir-Simpson scale work? The scale has five categories ranging from Category 1 — with winds from 74 mph to 95 mph to a Category 5 — with sustained winds in excess of 155 mph.

The Saffir-Simpson scale: More on how hurricanes are measured This is the scale used to measure hurricanes in the Atlantic ... Updated: 7:30 PM CDT May 31, 2024 Editorial Standards ⓘ Derek Sibley

Erin is still a major hurricane this morning and will pass to our east as we go through this week. Expect a dangerous surf with large waves and a high rip current risk. At 11 AM, the eye of Hurricane Erin was located near latitude 23.

Simpson assigned a range of wind speeds and storm surges for each category, and the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was born. The NHC released the scale to the public in 1973 and began ...

The longstanding hurricane rating system, the Saffir-Simpson Scale, only takes into account sustained wind speeds and not the full devastating impact of a hurricane.

Travelers on the Outer Banks should be aware of possible disruptions next week caused by Hurricane Erin as it intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale overnight,