Additional Coverage:
Hurricane Milton’s rapid escalation from a Category 2 to a Category 5 storm within hours has sparked questions about the need for a Category 6 designation.
The hurricane’s wind speeds surged from 60 mph to 180 mph in just 36 hours, leaving experts wondering if the current scale, which ranges from Category 1 to 5, is sufficient.
Although a Category 6 category does not currently exist, Milton’s wind speeds are approaching a threshold reached by only five storms since 1980. Experts believe these extreme storms are being fueled by warmer ocean waters.
Some scientists advocate for a Category 6 designation to better reflect the increasing risks posed by intensifying storms. However, others suggest de-emphasizing wind speed categories and focusing on broader impacts such as storm surge and inland flooding.
The National Hurricane Center’s Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which has been used since the 1970s, sets the minimum threshold for Category 5 winds at 157 mph. However, experts argue that this scale may need to be updated to account for the unprecedented intensities brought on by climate change.