How excessive can a hurricane’s depth get? Many are asking that query amid the looming menace from Hurricane Milton. Because the storm quickly approaches the west coast of Florida, hurricane watchers wish to brush up on the which means behind the class measurement. Since Milton has shortly intensified over the previous day, some are asking if a Class 6 hurricane is feasible.

Is There a Class 6 Hurricane?

No — it’s not potential for a hurricane to achieve previous a Class 5, per the Saffir-Simpson scale. In accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service (NWS), the Saffir-Simpson device measures wind velocity on a scale of 1 to five.

“This scale estimates potential property harm,” the NWS’ website signifies. “Hurricanes reaching Class 3 and better are thought of main hurricanes due to their potential for vital lack of life and harm.”

A Class 1 storm has winds from 74 to 95 miles per hour; a Class 2 has winds from 96 to 110 miles per hour; a Class 3 has winds from 111 to 129 miles per hour; a Class 4 is 130 to 156 miles per hour and a Class 5 hurricane has winds of 157 miles per hour or extra.

What Class is Hurricane Milton?

…MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE…

Information from an Air Pressure Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane point out that Milton has strengthened to a class 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with increased gusts. https://t.co/dv1LkCViaN pic.twitter.com/zUwi2CNJhi

— Nationwide Hurricane Heart (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024

On Monday, October 7, Milton quickly intensified from a Class 3 to a 4. Inside hours, the Nationwide Hurricane Heart (NHC) tweeted that the hurricane grew to become a Class 5.

“MILTON RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE,” the NHC introduced. “Information from an Air Pressure Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane point out that Milton has strengthened to a class 5. The max sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph with increased gusts.”

Has Florida Had a Class 5 Hurricane Earlier than?

Sure, the Sunshine State has skilled a Class 5 hurricane earlier than. One of many first recorded Class 5 storms on report was the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Maybe essentially the most memorable storm to hit Florida, although, was in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew. The hurricane prompted mass destruction throughout the state, damaging buildings and shutting down companies.

In 2018, Florida was slammed by Hurricane Michael. Winds reportedly hit about 160 miles per hour, which made Michael the strongest recorded hurricane to make landfall within the Florida panhandle, per CBS Information.