When you hear terms like Category 1, Category 3 or even the rare Category 5 mentioned regarding hurricanes, what is being discussed is the classification system for hurricanes based on their winds.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The easiest and most straightforward way to measure a hurricane's strength is to use the Saffir-Simpson scale. Divided into five categories, the scale designates each hurricane ...

Hurricanes are classified on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranks storms based on their sustained wind speeds and estimates potential damage. The scale has five categories, ranging ...