Changes Made to Hurricane Ranking Scale

By: Stephen Bowers Email

Updated: Wed 10:19 PM, Apr 11, 2012

The Saffir-Simpson Scale, which classifies hurricanes by the intensity of their strongest winds, is undergoing some changes.

The changes are minor, and will only effect future hurricanes. Hurricanes in the past will maintain their records based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale's previous version.

The new scale essentially broadens the category four hurricane intensity on both the low and high end by one mile per hour.

The new Saffir-Simpson Scale, effective May 15, 2012, is as follows:

Category 1: 74-95 mph
Category 2: 96-110 mph
Category 3: 111-129 mph
Category 4: 130-156 mph
Category 5: Over 156 mph

Saturday 5/18 Forecast Discussion

Current Conditions

Weather for Meridian, Mississippi

72° F

Partly Cloudy

Tue

89 68

Wed

81 70

Thu

87 67

Fri

85 64

See detailed forecast

Weather for Meridian, Mississippi

72° F

Partly Cloudy

Tue

90 68

Wed

81 69

Thu

86 67

Fri

84 63

See detailed forecast