Definition Of Saffir Simpson Scale
The scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer herbert saffir and meteorologist.
Definition of saffir simpson scale. Saffir simpson hurricane scale definition. This is a technical definition based on wind speed. National hurricane center nhc. The initial scale was developed by herbert saffir a structural.
This designation is based on the saffir simpson scale. Hurricanes reaching category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. The saffir simpson scale also known as sshws is used to classify hurricanes and tropical storms. The scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer herbert saffir and meteorologist robert simpson who at the time was director of the u s.
The scale was introduced to the general public in 1973 and saw widespread use after neil frank replaced simpson at the helm of the nhc in 1974. Saffir simpson scale săf ər standard scale for rating the severity of hurricanes as a measure of the damage they cause. A 1 5 rating based on the hurricane s present intensity. The particular tropical storm must have maximally sustained winds traveling at least between 74 95 miles per hour.
This scale is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. In 2009 the nhc made moves to eliminate pressure and storm surge ranges from the categories transforming it into a pure wind scale called the simpson hurricane wind scale experimental sshws. This scale estimates potential property damage. It is based on observations of numerous north atlantic basin hurricanes first developed in the late 1960s by herbert saffir a structural engineer to quantity potential damage from hurricane winds the scale was expanded in the early 1970s by robert simpson then the.
A storm with sustained winds over 110 miles per hour is considered a major hurricane. A chart that categorizes hurricanes according to wind speed and damage causing potential meaning pronunciation translations and examples. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous however. The saffir simpson hurricane wind scale sshws formerly the saffir simpson hurricane scale sshs classifies hurricanes western hemisphere tropical cyclones with sustained winds that exceed 63 knots into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds.
5 the new scale became operational on may 15 2010. Saffir gave the scale to the nhc and simpson added the effects of storm surge and flooding.