Hurricane Melissa Becomes Category 5: What are Hurricane Categories?

As Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a rare Category 5 storm, the Caribbean braces for potential devastation. With sustained winds of 160 mph (257 km/h), the storm is expected to cause extensive damage across Jamaica and neighbouring islands. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings of flash floods, storm surges, and prolonged power outages, underscoring the scale of destruction possible with a storm of this magnitude.

How a Hurricane Forms

Hurricanes originate as clusters of thunderstorms, usually over warm tropical waters exceeding 26.5°C. As moist air rises, it creates a low-pressure system that draws in cooler air, leading to a self-sustaining cycle of clouds and wind. When wind speeds exceed 74 mph (120 km/h), the system is classified as a hurricane. These massive spiralling storms act as natural heat engines, converting ocean warmth into intense energy that can span hundreds of kilometres.

Hurricanes, Cyclones, and Typhoons: Same Storm, Different Names

While hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are essentially the same weather phenomenon, their names vary by region. Hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, cyclones form in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, while typhoons develop over the Northwest Pacific. The Coriolis effect determines their rotation — anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Explained

The Saffir–Simpson scale classifies hurricanes into five categories based on sustained wind speeds, reflecting their destructive potential.

Category 1 (74–95 mph): Dangerous winds causing minor roof and tree damage.

Category 2 (96–110 mph): Extensive structural and power line damage.

Category 3 (111–129 mph): Major hurricane capable of severe building damage.

Category 4 (130–156 mph): Catastrophic winds destroying most roof structures.

Category 5 (157 mph+): Total devastation; widespread destruction and long-term uninhabitability.

Hurricane Melissa’s current classification as Category 5 places it at the top of this scale, signifying the highest level of potential destruction.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Category 5 hurricanes have winds exceeding 157 mph (252 km/h).
• Hurricanes form over warm waters above 26.5°C (80°F).
• The Saffir–Simpson scale ranks storms from Category 1 to 5.
• Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons differ only by region of origin.

Impact and the Debate on Category 6

The destructive power of hurricanes extends beyond winds to include storm surges, flash floods, and landslides — responsible for most hurricane-related fatalities. Past storms like Katrina (2005) and Irma (2017) demonstrated the cascading effects of flooding and infrastructure collapse. Although the current scale ends at Category 5, some scientists have proposed adding a Category 6 to reflect the intensifying strength of modern storms amid global warming. As Hurricane Melissa threatens the Caribbean, it serves as a stark reminder of nature’s growing extremes and the urgent need for resilient coastal infrastructure worldwide.