How serious is a catagory 7 storm? What type of destruction, if any, can it cause?

Question

Would or is, Global Warming causing severe storms? Will we ever experience a catagory 7 let alone, a catagory 6 storm?

Answer 1

There is no such thing. The Saffir-Simpson scale is not open ended. Despite the TV movie "Category 6" and its sequel "Category 7," these terms have no meaning. The Saffir-Simpson scale could be extended some day, if significantly stronger storms require it, but as of now, 5 is the highest value. A tropical system with sustained winds of 156 mph or greater is a Category 5, even if the winds are at 190 mph (the highest ever recorded). No matter how intense a storm becomes, it is still a Category 5.

Regardless of the classification, it is true that global warming may be leading to stronger tropical storms, due to warmer ocean waters.

Answer 2

We most likely will never have a Category 6 or 7 hurricane because the highest a hurricane can reach on the Saffir-Simpson Scale is a Category 5. A hurricane that is classified as a Category 5 means that the sustained wind speeds exceed 155mph. A hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 156 mph would be classified as a Category 5. If a hurricane much more intense were to form, with sustained wind speeds of say, 200 mph, it would still be classified as a Category 5 according to the way they are classified currently. A Category 6 or 7 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale would not be necessary to add at this point, because we've never had a storm reach a level of intensity to require these additions.

There have only been three Category 5 hurricanes that have reached landfall in the US. The Labor Day Hurricane during the mid 30s, Hurricane Camilla back in 1969, and Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Andrew caused billions of dollars in damages alone. And Hurricane Katrina? Think of the devastation that Hurricane Katrina had left in its path. Thousands dead and around two hundred billion in damages. Katrina started as a Category 5 hurricane but weakened as it came inland until it was a Category 3. A Category 3 is a hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 111-130 mph. Think about how much destruction would be left in the wake of a hurricane larger and more intense than that, if a Category 3 could do so much damage. Like a hurricane intense enough that a Category 6 would have to be added to the Saffir-Simpson Scale? The casualities and damages would be unimaginable.

There have only been 23 hurricanes that have reached the intensity of a Category 5, only 8 of them were still Category 5's by the time they reached landfall. Thankfully, most storms weaken before they ever reach landfall.

Global warming does affect the frequency and severity of storms. With the oceans over the world warming, we'll continue to see an increase in hurricane activity. High ocean temperatures make hurricane activity more favorable, whereas low ocean temperatures show less hurricane activity.

Answer 3

Solar flares are events that happen _on the Sun_ and in themselves have no effect on Earth. Some solar flares trigger coronal mass ejections. Some CMEs are pointed towards Earth. Mostly these are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field towards the poles where they cause aurora. About once _a century_ one is powerful enough to interact with electrical circuits on Earth, and cause some damage. In the two such events which have happened in history, in 1859 and 1989,, not a single person was killed or injured, and no permanent harm was done to any of Earth's electrical systems.

Answer 4

Catagory 5 is generally complete destruction. There wouldnt even be deris left in a 7.

Answer 5

hurricanes and tornadoes have strength scales and the strongest categorie of either one is a 5. The hurricane scale is the saffir- simpson and the tornadoe scale is the fujita

Answer 6

Click Here:

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_311004228.html
...and watch the video...

Answer 7

I believe 5 is the biggest? I'm not totally sure.

Answer 8

probably not in the near future like 2006- about 2100