What are the hurricane categories, and what category is the storm now?
Right now Hurricane Simon is a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds, 6 mph short of Category 2. Trudy is a tropical storm. The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes from Category 1 (74 to 95 mph) to Category 5 (157 mph or higher) by their maximum sustained wind; Category 3 and above are major hurricanes.
Checked NHC at
Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale
Categories are set by the maximum sustained wind (1-minute average at 10 m). Damage descriptions are NHC's, summarized.
| Category | Wind | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Cat 1 Simon now | 74–95 mph 64–82 kt · 119–153 km/h | Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: roofs, shingles, gutters and siding; large tree branches snap; power outages that could last a few days. |
| Cat 2 | 96–110 mph 83–95 kt · 154–177 km/h | Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: major roof and siding damage; many shallow-rooted trees uprooted; near-total power loss lasting days to weeks. |
| Cat 3 | 111–129 mph 96–112 kt · 178–208 km/h | Devastating damage: well-built homes may lose roof decking and gable ends; many trees snapped or uprooted; electricity and water unavailable for days to weeks. |
| Cat 4 | 130–156 mph 113–136 kt · 209–251 km/h | Catastrophic damage: well-built homes can lose most of the roof and some exterior walls; most trees and power poles down; areas uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
| Cat 5 | 157 or higher mph 137 or higher kt · 252 or higher km/h | Catastrophic damage: a high percentage of framed homes destroyed; fallen trees and power poles isolate residential areas; areas uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
Below Category 1: a tropical storm has winds of 39 to 73 mph and gets a name; a tropical depression has winds below 39 mph.
Active right now · 2
- Hurricane Simon90 mph110 mi W of Cabo Corrientes, MexicoLiveHazard page →
- Tropical Storm Trudy40 mph490 mi SSE of Acapulco, MexicoNHC advisory
Common questions
What category is a major hurricane?
Category 3 and higher, with winds of 111 mph or more. NHC calls these major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.
Is there a Category 6 hurricane?
No. The Saffir-Simpson scale stops at Category 5, which covers every hurricane with winds of 157 mph or higher.
Does the category include storm surge and rain?
No. The category is based on wind alone. Storm surge, flooding rain and tornadoes can be deadly in a storm of any category, including tropical storms.
Who decides a hurricane's category?
The National Hurricane Center, from the maximum sustained wind in each advisory. The category can change from one advisory to the next as the storm strengthens or weakens.
Sources: NHC Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, NHC advisories for the active storms. LiveHazard is not an official warning service.