Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS):
- The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage.
- To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph (33 m/s; 64 kn; 119 km/h) (Category 1).
- The highest classification in the scale, Category 5, consists of storms with sustained winds over 156 mph (70 m/s; 136 kn; 251 km/h).
- Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.
