Hurricane Category 6 Could Be Introduced Under New Storm Severity Scale

With NOAA's cuts, the only way I think cat 6 will be add is Trump wants to be the one to create that level and scientists state it is not really needed :)

Irma reached +180mph before magically dwindling to a 3 (or weak 4?) just before landfall. By then, we were already without power, so stats were unknown. I made a safety box out of a toolbox into which I stuffed my cat and provisions, as I wore an old motorcycle helmet and combat boots clutching a bugout bag and bottle of courage.

I really didn't expect to do well and had it hit as a super 5, I'd probably not be leaving this silly post.

But cat 6 is real. We'll see it soon.

Also of interest: hypercanes [1], my hurricane-adjacent Interesting Wikipedia Deep Dive, which (according to Wikipedia):

- require ocean temperatures of 120 °F (50 °C)

- have sustained winds of 500 mph (800 km/h)

- have barometric pressures in their centers sufficiently low enough to cause altitude sickness

- may persist for several weeks due to above low pressure

- may be as large as North America or as small as 15 mi (25 km) — Wikipedia has an unhelpful caption about the size of the "average hypercane" (!)

- extend into the upper stratosphere, unlike today's hurricanes (lower stratosphere)

- due to above height, may sufficiently degrade the ozone layer with water vapor to the point of causing (an additional) hazard to planetary life

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFPA_704

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercane

But about 30 years ago, Andrew swept across Florida like a giant roomba, and did a huge amount of damage. It was a cat 5. Wind did most of the damage.

Not sure how they would reconcile these two types of mega-storms.

This new rating system uses the old system and 2 new rating categories

   Wind (from old system, 1min sustained speeds)
   Cat 1: 33–42 m/s (~74–95 mph)
   Cat 2: 43–49 m/s (~96–110 mph)
   Cat 3: 50–58 m/s (~111–129 mph)
   Cat 4: 59–69 m/s (~130–156 mph)
   Cat 5: >70 m/s   (>157 mph)
   
   Storm surge (peak surge height above tide)
   Cat 1: 0.75–1.54 m
   Cat 2: 1.55–2.34 m
   Cat 3: 2.35–3.14 m
   Cat 4: 3.15–3.99 m
   Cat 5: >4.00 m
   
   Accumulated rainfall (event total)
   Cat 1: 100–262 mm
   Cat 2: 263–425 mm
   Cat 3: 426–588 mm
   Cat 4: 589–749 mm
   Cat 5: >750 mm

- A "Key messages" graphic with 2-4 bullet points about what is going on, what is predicted to happen, and specific dangers to look out for. The tone of the text is carefully adjusted for how life-threatening the situation is. This graphic also includes a copy of the two most important visualizations on the right. (Example: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2024/HELENE_graphics.php?pr...)

- A peak storm surge graphic showing predicted coastal inundation and destructive wave action (Example: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2024/HELENE_graphics.php?pr...)

- A cone to depict the range of predictions for where the hurricane could go, ideally without a confusing line drawn in the center prediction (Example: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2024/HELENE_graphics.php?pr...) Arguably this could be replaced with a spaghetti model map, but these can be just as confusing for those unaware of how predictions are depicted.

- A map of the most likely arrival time for hurricane force winds (Example: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2024/HELENE_graphics.php?pr...)

- After the main risks are over, a map of continued flash flood and river flooding risk (Example: https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/202...)

- A no-frills ad-free weather report livestreamed to social media, so you can gauge how much the pros at the very top level of hurricane meteorology are freaking out about it (Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFL-nbFs2Xs)

- A few other graphics and data dumps primarily intended for meteorologists, local officials, and nerds

Different extreme weather but fun book.