🌬️ Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Reference
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies tropical cyclones into 5 categories based on their sustained wind speeds and estimated property damage potential:
| Category | Sustained Winds | Central Pressure | Storm Surge Potential | Damage Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 74 - 95 mph | > 980 mb | 4 - 5 ft | Very dangerous winds producing some structural damage, fallen tree branches, and power outages. |
| Category 2 | 96 - 110 mph | 965 - 979 mb | 6 - 8 ft | Extremely dangerous winds causing substantial roof and siding damage, uprooted trees, and near-total power loss. |
| Category 3 (Major) | 111 - 129 mph | 945 - 964 mb | 9 - 12 ft | Devastating damage. Major structural roof damage, electricity and water unavailable for days to weeks. |
| Category 4 (Major) | 130 - 156 mph | 920 - 944 mb | 13 - 18 ft | Catastrophic damage. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe structural loss. Most of the area uninhabitable for months. |
| Category 5 (Major) | ≥ 157 mph | < 920 mb | > 18 ft | Total catastrophe. Complete building collapses, devastating coastal inundation, and catastrophic infrastructure destruction. |
📡 How Doppler Radar Tracks Approaching Hurricanes
During the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30), tracking tropical systems requires a multi-layered remote sensing network. When tropical depressions, tropical storms, or hurricanes are thousands of miles out in the open ocean, meteorologists rely primarily on NOAA geostationary satellites (GOES-East) and U.S. Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunter" reconnaissance flights that drop GPS dropsondes directly through the storm's eyewall.
Coastal NEXRAD WSR-88D Network
Once a hurricane approaches within 200 to 250 miles of the United States coastline, the National Weather Service's coastal network of WSR-88D Doppler radar stations takes over. Operating with dual-polarization S-band microwave pulses, stations like KAMX (Miami), KTBW (Tampa), and KHGX (Houston) scan storm circulation at multiple elevation angles:
- Eyewall Replacement Cycles (ERC): High-resolution radar reflectivity reveals when an outer rainband contracts around the inner eye, causing temporary intensity fluctuations.
- Base Velocity & Radial Wind Shear: Doppler shift measures extreme horizontal wind velocity toward or away from the radar dish, detecting embedded tornadoes in outer feeder bands.
- Torrential Tropical Rainfall Rates: Dual-pol radar algorithms estimate precipitation accumulation with exceptional accuracy, warning emergency officials of inland flash flooding.
Understanding the NHC Forecast Cone of Uncertainty
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues official forecast cones projecting the storm's center path over 3 to 5 days. It is crucial to remember that the cone only tracks the storm center. Tropical storm-force winds and destructive storm surge can extend more than 150 to 300 miles from the center, meaning communities well outside the cone can still experience catastrophic impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hurricane Radar & Tracking
How does Doppler radar track hurricanes when they are offshore?
What does the National Hurricane Center (NHC) Cone of Uncertainty mean?
What is the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning?
Which coastal NOAA NEXRAD stations monitor Atlantic and Gulf hurricanes?
🌊 High-Risk Coastal Hurricane City Radars
Direct access to high-definition local radar loops for hurricane-prone metropolitan areas: