Hurricanes are becoming more intense due to global warming, and meteorologists are warning that the current scale of classifying them from one to five may no longer be sufficient. US researchers Michael Wehner and James Kossin have proposed the addition of a sixth category based on their research and observations over the past four decades, which have shown a significant increase in the strength of these storms.
The fifth category hurricane, developed in the early 1970s, has no upper limit on the Saffir–Simpson intensity scale. Category 5 hurricanes have winds exceeding about 70 meters per second and cause catastrophic destruction, including widespread damage to buildings, trees, and infrastructure, as well as disruptions to electricity supply and daily life in affected areas. Recent Category 5 hurricanes like Katrina and Maria have caused significant devastation and loss of life.
In the past four decades, Category 5 hurricanes have become more common, with a total of 197 recorded between 1980 and 2021. The most devastating storms, classified as potential sixth category hurricanes by Wehner and Kossin, have all occurred in the last nine years. These storms have winds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour, causing extreme damage and posing a serious threat to life and property.
Hurricanes like Haiyan in 2013 and Patricia in 2015 have demonstrated the destructive power of these superstorms, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damages. The need for a higher category to capture the intensity of these storms is evident as the current scale may not adequately represent the increasing strength of hurricanes in a warming world.
The proposal for a sixth category hurricane highlights the urgency of addressing the impact of climate change on extreme weather events like hurricanes. With the frequency and intensity of these storms on the rise, it is crucial to accurately classify and prepare for their potential devastation. Scientists and researchers are calling for action to address
