Set to make landfall in the US state of&nbsp;Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths.

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and&nbsp;is classed as a Category 5 storm, as it gained intensity within a short span of hours. It is predicted that the storm will result in a life-threatening situation in the area in its path. Millions were ordered to evacuate the region and rushing to do so.

<h2>How are hurricanes categorised?</h2>

Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They are low-pressure systems with thunderstorm activity, which gain their intensity from warm ocean waters. They result in strong surface winds in circular motion and can bring extreme weather conditions to the nearby land.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-milton-to-hit-florida-timing-areas-at-risk-wind-speeds-and-what-to-expect-766046">Hurricane Milton to hit Florida: Timing, areas at risk, wind speeds, and what to expect</a>

Hurricanes are classified as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a storm’s intensity based on its sustained wind speed. The scale also estimates the damage caused by hurricanes, depending on their category.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hurricanes are categorised as follows:

Category One Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/hr) and cause some damage. They can result in “power outages that could last a few to several days,” according to the NWS.

Category Two Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 96-110 mph (154-177 km/hr) and can cause extensive damage due to dangerous winds. These storms can result in near-total power loss.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-helene-to-milton-why-and-how-hurricanes-get-their-names-find-out-here-wion-explains-765937">Explained | Hurricane Helene to Milton: Why and how hurricanes get their names—find out here</a>

Category Three Hurricane: The wind speeds for hurricanes under this category are 111-129 mph (km/hr) and can result in devastating damage with many trees uprooted. They would also cause electricity and water outages.

Category Four Hurricane: These hurricanes can have wind speeds as high as 130-156 mph (209-251 km/hr). During these storms, “catastrophic damage will occur” with many homes sustaining severe damage, as per the NWS website. They will result in week or month-long power outages and leave the place uninhabitable for some time.

Category Five Hurricane: The last category classifies storms with winds 157 mph or higher (252 km/hr or higher). “Catastrophic damage will occur” due to these storms with a high percentage of framed homes destroyed, with roofs and walls collapsing, according to the NWS. They will also result in the area being uninhabitable for weeks or months.

(With inputs from agencies)

Set to make landfall in the US state of Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths.

Set to make landfall in the US state of Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths. Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is classed as a Category 5 storm, as it gained intensity within a short span of hours. It is predicted that the storm will result in a life-threatening situation in the area in its path. Millions were ordered to evacuate the region and rushing to do so. How are hurricanes categorised? Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They are low-pressure systems with thunderstorm activity, which gain their intensity from warm ocean waters. They result in strong surface winds in circular motion and can bring extreme weather conditions to the nearby land. Also read | Hurricane Milton to hit Florida: Timing, areas at risk, wind speeds, and what to expect Hurricanes are classified as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a storm’s intensity based on its sustained wind speed. The scale also estimates the damage caused by hurricanes, depending on their category. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hurricanes are categorised as follows: Category One Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/hr) and cause some damage. They can result in “power outages that could last a few to several days,” according to the NWS. Category Two Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 96-110 mph (154-177 km/hr) and can cause extensive damage due to dangerous winds. These storms can result in near-total power loss. Also read | Explained | Hurricane Helene to Milton: Why and how hurricanes get their names—find out here Category Three Hurricane: The wind speeds for hurricanes under this category are 111-129 mph (km/hr) and can result in devastating damage with many trees uprooted. They would also cause electricity and water outages. Category Four Hurricane: These hurricanes can have wind speeds as high as 130-156 mph (209-251 km/hr). During these storms, “catastrophic damage will occur” with many homes sustaining severe damage, as per the NWS website. They will result in week or month-long power outages and leave the place uninhabitable for some time. Category Five Hurricane: The last category classifies storms with winds 157 mph or higher (252 km/hr or higher). “Catastrophic damage will occur” due to these storms with a high percentage of framed homes destroyed, with roofs and walls collapsing, according to the NWS. They will also result in the area being uninhabitable for weeks or months. (With inputs from agencies)

What category is Hurricane Milton and how are hurricanes categorised?

A recent study has suggested that hurricanes, fueled by the escalating climate crisis, have become so potent that a new Category 6 classification should be added to the conventional 1 to 5 scale.

Researchers asserted that the intensification of storms, attributed to global warming and rising ocean temperatures, warrants acknowledgment of a more extreme category.

Over the last decade, five storms would have qualified as Category 6, as they had sustained wind speed of 192mph (miles per hour) or more, said the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Also watch | Study: Pollution decreases hurricanes

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Michael Wehner, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, highlighting the urgency for such categorisation was quoted as saying by&nbsp;The Guardian&nbsp;newsaper that "192mph is probably faster than most Ferraris, it's hard to even imagine."

Wehner, alongside James Kossin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, proposed this additional category to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, developed in the early 1970s.

<h2>What are existing hurricane categories?</h2>

<a>The current scales categorise hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds, with Category 5 encompassing storms at 157mph or higher.</a>

The study argued that recent devastating events like Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Hurricane Patricia in 2015 show the need for a distinct category beyond Category 5.

While no Category 6 hurricanes have occurred in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico, conditions conducive to such storms exist.

<h2>Conditions for intensified hurricanes and climate change</h2>

Although the total number of hurricanes remains relatively stable, the study noted a significant increase in the intensity of major storms over the four-decade satellite record.

A super-heated ocean, combined with a warmer, moisture-laden atmosphere, contributes to the rapid intensification of hurricanes, posing heightened risks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/weakening-of-gulf-stream-99-per-cent-ramifications-to-be-global-study-648008">Weakening of Gulf Stream 99 per cent certain, ramifications to be global: Study</a>

Wehner acknowledged the imperfections of the Saffir-Simpson scale in assessing the dangers associated with hurricanes.

He argued that a Category 6 designation would underscore the elevated risks posed by the climate crisis, focusing attention on the intensified storms' impact beyond wind strength. 
 
While the study proposes a Category 6 classification, there is no indication of an imminent official adoption.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A recent study has suggested that hurricanes, fueled by the escalating climate crisis, have become so potent that a new Category 6 classification should be added to the conventional 1 to 5 scale.

A recent study has suggested that hurricanes, fueled by the escalating climate crisis, have become so potent that a new Category 6 classification should be added to the conventional 1 to 5 scale. Researchers asserted that the intensification of storms, attributed to global warming and rising ocean temperatures, warrants acknowledgment of a more extreme category. Over the last decade, five storms would have qualified as Category 6, as they had sustained wind speed of 192mph (miles per hour) or more, said the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Also watch | Study: Pollution decreases hurricanes × Michael Wehner, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, highlighting the urgency for such categorisation was quoted as saying by The Guardian newsaper that "192mph is probably faster than most Ferraris, it's hard to even imagine." Wehner, alongside James Kossin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, proposed this additional category to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, developed in the early 1970s. What are existing hurricane categories? The current scales categorise hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds, with Category 5 encompassing storms at 157mph or higher. The study argued that recent devastating events like Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Hurricane Patricia in 2015 show the need for a distinct category beyond Category 5. While no Category 6 hurricanes have occurred in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico, conditions conducive to such storms exist. Conditions for intensified hurricanes and climate change Although the total number of hurricanes remains relatively stable, the study noted a significant increase in the intensity of major storms over the four-decade satellite record. A super-heated ocean, combined with a warmer, moisture-laden atmosphere, contributes to the rapid intensification of hurricanes, posing heightened risks. Also read | Weakening of Gulf Stream 99 per cent certain, ramifications to be global: Study Wehner acknowledged the imperfections of the Saffir-Simpson scale in assessing the dangers associated with hurricanes. He argued that a Category 6 designation would underscore the elevated risks posed by the climate crisis, focusing attention on the intensified storms' impact beyond wind strength. While the study proposes a Category 6 classification, there is no indication of an imminent official adoption. (With inputs from agencies)

5 hurricane categories not enough: Storms 'faster than Ferrari' push scientists to propose new intensity scale

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What category is Hurricane Milton and how are hurricanes categorised?

5 hurricane categories not enough: Storms 'faster than Ferrari' push scientists to propose new intensity scale