Hurricanes are scary and can be life-threatening at any stage, but there are important distinctions between categories 1 through 5 in terms of how much of a potential punch a storm can pack.

The 1 to 5 rating scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricane categories are based on Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and are rated from 1 to 5 based on wind speed. Skip Navigation ...

The 1 to 5 scale can help people quickly digest the severity of a winter storm. ... Weather Service’s new rating scale is a promising new communication tool. January 30, 2020.

This scale – officially known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale – is a rating based on maximum sustained wind speed, which ranges from 74 to 157 mph, or higher.