The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale 

The Saffir-Simpson Team (Timothy Schott, Chris Landsea, Gene Hafele, Jeffrey Lorens, Arthur 

Taylor, Harvey Thurm, Bill Ward, Mark Willis, and Walt Zaleski) 

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the 

hurricane's intensity at the indicated time. The scale – originally developed by wind engineer 

Herb Saffir and meteorologist Bob Simpson – has been an excellent tool for alerting the public 

about the possible impacts of various intensity hurricanes1. The scale provides examples of the 

type of damage and impacts in the United States associated with winds of the indicated intensity. 

In general, damage rises by about a factor of four for every category increase2. The maximum 

sustained surface wind speed (peak 1-minute wind at the standard meteorological observation 

height of 10 m [33 ft] over unobstructed exposure) associated with the cyclone is the determining 

factor in the scale. (Note that sustained winds can be stronger in hilly or mountainous terrain –

such as the over the Appalachians or over much of Puerto Rico - compared with that experienced 

over flat terrain3.) The historical examples provided in each of the categories correspond with 

the observed or estimated maximum wind speeds from the hurricane experienced at the location 

indicated. These do not necessarily correspond with the peak intensity reached by the system 

during its lifetime. It is also important to note that peak 1-minute winds in hurricane are believed 

to diminish by one category within a short distance, perhaps a kilometer [~ half a mile] of the 

coastline4

The scale does not address the potential for other hurricane-related impacts, such as 

storm surge, rainfall-induced floods, and tornadoes. It should also be noted that these windcaused damage general descriptions are to some degree dependent upon the local building codes 

in effect and how well and how long they have been enforced. For example, building codes 

enacted during the 2000s in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina are likely to reduce the 

damage to newer structures from that described below. However, for a long time to come, the 

majority of the building stock in existence on the coast will not have been built to higher code. 

Hurricane wind damage is also very dependent upon other factors, such as duration of high 

winds, change of wind direction, and age of structures. 

. For example, Hurricane Wilma made landfall in 2005 in southwest Florida as a 

Category 3 hurricane. Even though this hurricane only took four hours to traverse the peninsula, 

the winds experienced by most Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County communities 

were Category 1 to Category 2 conditions. However, exceptions to this generalization are 

certainly possible.

Earlier versions of this scale – known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale –

incorporated central pressure and storm surge as components of the categories. The central 

pressure was used during the 1970s and 1980s as a proxy for the winds as accurate wind speed 

intensity measurements from aircraft reconnaissance were not routinely available for hurricanes 

until 19905. Storm surge was also quantified by category in the earliest published versions of the 

scale dating back to 19726

 1 H. S. Saffir, 1973 in The Military Engineer; and R. H. Simpson, 1974 in Weatherwise

. However, hurricane size (extent of hurricane-force winds), local 

2 R. A. Pielke, Jr. and colleagues, 2008 in Natural Hazard Review. 3 C. A. Miller, and A. G. Davenport, 1998 in Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 4 P. J. Vickery and colleagues, 2009 in Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 5 R. C. Sheets, 1990 in Weather and Forecasting. 6 National Hurricane Operations Plan, 1972.
bathymetry (depth of near-shore waters), topography, the hurricane’s forward speed and angle to 

the coast also affect the surge that is produced7,8. For example, the very large Hurricane Ike 

(with hurricane force winds extending as much as 125 mi from the center) in 2008 made landfall 

in Texas as a Category 2 hurricane and had peak storm surge values of about 20 ft. In contrast, 

tiny Hurricane Charley (with hurricane force winds extending at most 25 mi from the center) 

struck Florida in 2004 as a Category 4 hurricane and produced a peak storm surge of only about 

7 ft. These storm surge values were substantially outside of the ranges suggested in the original 

scale. Thus to help reduce public confusion about the impacts associated with the various 

hurricane categories as well as to provide a more scientifically defensible scale, the storm surge 

ranges, flooding impact and central pressure statements are being removed from the scale and 

only peak winds are employed in this revised version – the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind 

Scale. (The impact statements below were derived from recommendations graciously provided 

by experts [Bruce Harper, Forrest Masters, Mark Powell, Tim Marshall, Tim Reinhold, and Peter 

Vickery] in hurricane boundary layer winds and hurricane wind engineering fields9,10.)

Category One Hurricane (Sustained winds 74-95 mph, 64-82 kt, or 119-153 km/hr). 

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage 

People, livestock, and pets struck by flying or falling debris could be injured or killed. 

Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes could be destroyed, especially if 

they are not anchored properly as they tend to shift or roll off their foundations. Newer 

mobile homes that are anchored properly can sustain damage involving the removal of 

shingle or metal roof coverings, and loss of vinyl siding, as well as damage to carports, 

sunrooms, or lanais. Some poorly constructed frame homes can experience major 

damage, involving loss of the roof covering and damage to gable ends as well as the 

removal of porch coverings and awnings. Unprotected windows may break if struck by 

flying debris. Masonry chimneys can be toppled. Well-constructed frame homes could 

have damage to roof shingles, vinyl siding, soffit panels, and gutters. Failure of 

aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures can occur. Some apartment building 

and shopping center roof coverings could be partially removed. Industrial buildings can 

lose roofing and siding especially from windward corners, rakes, and eaves. Failures to 

overhead doors and unprotected windows will be common. Windows in high-rise 

buildings can be broken by flying debris. Falling and broken glass will pose a significant 

danger even after the storm. There will be occasional damage to commercial signage, 

fences, and canopies. Large branches of trees will snap and shallow rooted trees can be 

toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles will likely result in power outages 

that could last a few to several days. Hurricane Dolly (2008) is an example of a hurricane 

that brought Category 1 winds and impacts to South Padre Island, Texas.

Category Two Hurricane (Sustained winds 96-110 mph, 83-95 kt, or 154-177 km/hr). 

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage 

 7 Jelesnianski, C. P., 1972 in NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS 46. 8 J. L. Irish, D. T. Resio, and J. J. Ratcliff, 2008 in Journal of Physical Oceanography. 9 F. Masters, P. Vickery, B. Harper, M. Powell, and T. Reinhold, 2009 in Engineering Guidance Regarding WindCaused Damage Descriptors.

10 T. Marshall, 2009 in On the Performance of Buildings in Hurricanes – A Study for the Saffir-Simpson Scale 

Committee.
There is a substantial risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying 

and falling debris. Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes have a very high

chance of being destroyed and the flying debris generated can shred nearby mobile 

homes. Newer mobile homes can also be destroyed. Poorly constructed frame homes 

have a high chance of having their roof structures removed especially if they are not 

anchored properly. Unprotected windows will have a high probability of being broken by 

flying debris. Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding 

damage. Failure of aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures will be common. 

There will be a substantial percentage of roof and siding damage to apartment buildings 

and industrial buildings. Unreinforced masonry walls can collapse. Windows in highrise buildings can be broken by flying debris. Falling and broken glass will pose a 

significant danger even after the storm. Commercial signage, fences, and canopies will 

be damaged and often destroyed. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or 

uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that 

could last from several days to weeks. Potable water could become scarce as filtration 

systems begin to fail. Hurricane Frances (2004) is an example of a hurricane that brought 

Category 2 winds and impacts to coastal portions of Port St. Lucie, Florida with Category 

1 conditions experienced elsewhere in the city.

Category Three Hurricane (Sustained winds 111-130 mph, 96-113 kt, or 178-209 

km/hr). 

Devastating damage will occur

There is a high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and 

falling debris. Nearly all older (pre-1994) mobile homes will be destroyed. Most newer 

mobile homes will sustain severe damage with potential for complete roof failure and 

wall collapse. Poorly constructed frame homes can be destroyed by the removal of the 

roof and exterior walls. Unprotected windows will be broken by flying debris. Wellbuilt frame homes can experience major damage involving the removal of roof decking 

and gable ends. There will be a high percentage of roof covering and siding damage to 

apartment buildings and industrial buildings. Isolated structural damage to wood or steel

framing can occur. Complete failure of older metal buildings is possible, and older 

unreinforced masonry buildings can collapse. Numerous windows will be blown out of 

high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks 

after the storm. Most commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Many 

trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be 

unavailable for several days to a few weeks after the storm passes. Hurricane Ivan (2004) 

is an example of a hurricane that brought Category 3 winds and impacts to coastal 

portions of Gulf Shores, Alabama with Category 2 conditions experienced elsewhere in 

this city.

Category Four Hurricane (Sustained winds 131-155 mph, 114-135 kt, or 210-249 

km/hr). 

Catastrophic damage will occur

There is a very high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and 

falling debris. Nearly all older (pre-1994) mobile homes will be destroyed. A high 

percentage of newer mobile homes also will be destroyed. Poorly constructed homes can 
sustain complete collapse of all walls as well as the loss of the roof structure. Well-built 

homes also can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some 

exterior walls. Extensive damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors will occur. 

Large amounts of windborne debris will be lofted into the air. Windborne debris damage 

will break most unprotected windows and penetrate some protected windows. There will 

be a high percentage of structural damage to the top floors of apartment buildings. Steel 

frames in older industrial buildings can collapse. There will be a high percentage of 

collapse to older unreinforced masonry buildings. Most windows will be blown out of 

high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks 

after the storm. Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. 

Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power 

poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. 

Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will be 

uninhabitable for weeks or months. Hurricane Charley (2004) is an example of a 

hurricane that brought Category 4 winds and impacts to coastal portions of Punta Gorda, 

Florida with Category 3 conditions experienced elsewhere in the city. 

Category Five Hurricane (Sustained winds greater than 155 mph, greater than 135 kt, or 

greater than 249 km/hr). 

Catastrophic damage will occur

People, livestock, and pets are at very high risk of injury or death from flying or falling 

debris, even if indoors in mobile homes or framed homes. Almost complete destruction 

of all mobile homes will occur, regardless of age or construction. A high percentage of 

frame homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Extensive 

damage to roof covers, windows, and doors will occur. Large amounts of windborne 

debris will be lofted into the air. Windborne debris damage will occur to nearly all

unprotected windows and many protected windows. Significant damage to wood roof 

commercial buildings will occur due to loss of roof sheathing. Complete collapse of 

many older metal buildings can occur. Most unreinforced masonry walls will fail which 

can lead to the collapse of the buildings. A high percentage of industrial buildings and 

low-rise apartment buildings will be destroyed. Nearly all windows will be blown out of 

high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks 

after the storm. Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. 

Nearly all trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and 

power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly 

months. Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will 

be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Hurricane Andrew (1992) is an example of a 

hurricane that brought Category 5 winds and impacts to coastal portions of Cutler Ridge, 

Florida with Category 4 conditions experienced elsewhere in south Miami-Dade County.