Wind & intensity
Hurricane categories explained
A hurricane category describes sustained wind intensity. It is one way to read a storm, alongside its track, size, and history.
The five hurricane categories
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale uses maximum sustained one-minute winds. Category 3 and above is called a major hurricane. The thresholds below follow the National Hurricane Center.
| Category | mph | knots | km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74–95 | 64–82 | 119–153 |
| 2 | 96–110 | 83–95 | 154–177 |
| 3 · Major | 111–129 | 96–112 | 178–208 |
| 4 · Major | 130–156 | 113–136 | 209–251 |
| 5 · Major | 157+ | 137+ | 252+ |
Reading intensity on the map
Our track colors follow the archive’s US-agency category at each recorded point. A storm can move through several colors during its lifetime. Select it and use the wind chart to explore those changes; the category at the selected moment can differ from the lifetime peak.
The legend also distinguishes tropical depressions, tropical storms, and other or unknown classifications. A gray track does not mean there was no wind: it can indicate a different storm stage or missing classification.
A category is not a complete impact score
The wind scale does not measure rainfall, storm surge, or inland flooding. Lower-category storms can still bring severe hazards. Use official local forecasts and warnings for current conditions. Read the NHC scale’s scope.
Why global comparisons need care
This map applies one consistent color legend worldwide. Those colors are not the official regional intensity scales used by every forecasting agency. Some agencies report winds averaged over different periods. The storm profile identifies the wind source, and WMO fallback values never create a US category.
For the naming differences, read hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones. For the measurements behind a track, see our data methodology.