Weather and Meteorology - Glossary
Included in this glossary you'll find terms related to our public forecasting program, weather observations and unique terminology that is of Environment Canada's hurricane centre and ice service products.
- Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale is a classification system used for Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms.
Scale numbers range from 1 to 5.
Category 1: Maximum sustained winds of at least 64 knots (118 km/h).
Category 2: Maximum sustained winds of at least 83 knots (154 km/h).
Category 3: Maximum sustained winds of at least 96 knots (178 km/h).
Category 4: Maximum sustained winds of at least 114 knots (210 km/h).
Category 5: Maximum sustained winds of at least 136 knots (250 km/h).
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