Editing Saffir–Simpson scale (section)

{{Short description|Hurricane intensity scale}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Saffir-Simpson}}

The '''Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale''' ('''SSHWS''') is a [[Tropical cyclone intensity scales|tropical cyclone intensity scale]] that classifies [[hurricanes]]—which in the [[Western Hemisphere]] are [[tropical cyclone]]s that exceed the intensities of [[tropical depression]]s and [[tropical storm]]s—into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained [[wind]]s. This measuring system was formerly known as the '''Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale''', or '''SSHS'''.

To be classified as a hurricane, a [[tropical cyclone]] must have one-minute-average [[maximum sustained wind]]s at {{Convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the surface of at least 74&nbsp;mph (64&nbsp;kn, 119&nbsp;km/h; Category&nbsp;1).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php|title=Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale|author=|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=2018|access-date=November 14, 2020}}</ref> The highest classification in the scale, [[#Category 5|Category&nbsp;5]], consists of storms with sustained winds of at least 157&nbsp;mph (137&nbsp;kn, 252&nbsp;km/h). The classifications can provide some indication of the potential damage and [[flooding]] a hurricane will cause upon [[landfall]].

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is based on the highest [[wind speed]] averaged over a one-minute interval 10&nbsp;m above the surface. Although the scale shows wind speeds in continuous speed ranges, the US [[National Hurricane Center]] and the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] assign tropical cyclone intensities in 5-knot&nbsp;(kn) increments (e.g., 100, 105, 110, 115&nbsp;kn, etc.) because of the inherent uncertainty in estimating the strength of tropical cyclones. Wind speeds in knots are then converted to other units and rounded to the nearest 5&nbsp;mph or 5&nbsp;km/h.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws_2012rev.pdf|title=Minor Modification to Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale For the 2012 Hurricane Season|author=|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=2012|access-date=November 14, 2020}}</ref>

The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is used officially only to describe [[Atlantic hurricane|hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Pacific hurricane|northern Pacific Ocean]] east of the [[International Date Line]]. Other areas use [[Tropical cyclone scales|different scales]] to label these storms, which are called ''cyclones'' or ''[[typhoon]]s,'' depending on the area. These areas (except the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center|JTWC]]) use ''three-minute'' or ''ten-minute'' averaged winds to determine the maximum sustained wind speed, creating an important difference which frustrates direct comparison between maximum wind speeds of storms measured using the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (usually 14% more intense) and those measured using a ''ten-minute'' interval (usually 12% less intense).<ref>[[United States Navy]]: {{Cite web |url=http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/~chu/chap6/se200.htm |title=Section 2. Intensity Observations and Forecast Errors |access-date=2008-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916205204/http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/~chu/chap6/se200.htm |archive-date=2007-09-16 |url-status=dead |quote=For US Navy interests, the factor 0.88 is used in going from a 1-minute system to a 10-minute system such that TEN-MINUTE MEAN = 0.88 * ONE-MINUTE MEAN or ONE-MINUTE MEAN = 1.14 * TEN-MINUTE MEAN.}} Retrieved on 2018-10-07.</ref>

There is some [[#Criticism|criticism]] of the SSHWS for not accounting for rain, [[storm surge]], and other important factors, but SSHWS defenders say that part of the goal of SSHWS is to be straightforward and simple to understand.{{cn|date=April 2025}} There have been proposals for the addition of higher categories to the scale, which would then set a maximum cutoff for Category&nbsp;5, but none have been adopted {{as of|lc=y|May 2025}}.