A critique on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale chart

[CrazyC83]

There is a long-list chart of damage potential for each category of winds, and it seems to be a very good list. However, one critical point I have is that, and many people ignore the fact that, damage can start well below hurricane conditions (in fact, many areas that see damage will not see sustained hurricane winds).

I think what is needed is for the chart to expand so that it also shows potential like this:

Weak Tropical Storm winds (39-57 mph) - Strong winds may produce scattered damage

No direct wind damage expected to well-constructed frame homes, however, weaker buildings and mobile homes may sustain damage. Many small and some large tree branches will be snapped and very shallowly rooted trees may be toppled in saturated soil. Some power lines may fall as a result of fallen trees and branches with scattered power outages possibly lasting from a few hours to a few days.

Strong Tropical Storm winds (58-73 mph) - Severe winds will likely produce damage

Poorly-attached shingles, siding and gutters may be damaged on well-constructed frame homes. Many large tree branches will snap and shallowly rooted trees are more likely to be toppled if the soil is saturated. Significant damage to power lines and some power poles possible with a greater chance of power outages possibly lasting from many hours to days.

[vbhoutex]

I find your descriptions to be spot on pretty much. The only addition I would make is in the higher category there will definitely be damage to fences and other similar structures.
However it is known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, not the SS Tropical Cyclone Wind Scale. Perhaps there needs to be another wind scale?

[Aric Dunn]

I find your descriptions to be spot on pretty much. The only addition I would make is in the higher category there will definitely be damage to fences and other similar structures.
However it is known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, not the SS Tropical Cyclone Wind Scale. Perhaps there needs to be another wind scale?

technically the scale could be provided for TS, however the original scale included storm surge and flooding. but they recently changed it.

"In 2009, the NHC made moves to eliminate pressure and storm surge ranges from the categories, transforming it into a pure wind scale, called the Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (Experimental) [SSHWS].[5] The new scale became operational on May 15, 2010.[6] The scale excludes flood ranges, storm surge estimations, rainfall, and location, which means a Category 2 hurricane which hits a major city will likely do far more cumulative damage than a Category 5 hurricane that hits a rural area.[7] The agency cited various hurricanes as reasons for removing the "scientifically inaccurate" information, including Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008), which both had stronger than estimated storm surges, and Hurricane Charley (2004), which had weaker than estimated storm surge.[8]"

The fact of the matter is it comes down to numbers. yeah sure you live mobile home "A" and your neighbor lives in "B" a TS of lets say 50 mph makes landfall 20 miles south of you. what do you expect? well here is the key on "average" you would expect what you wrote....

"No direct wind damage expected to well-constructed frame homes, however, weaker buildings and mobile homes may sustain damage. Many small and some large tree branches will be snapped and very shallowly rooted trees may be toppled in saturated soil. Some power lines may fall as a result of fallen trees and branches with scattered power outages possibly lasting from a few hours to a few days."

here is the thing... how do you "categorize" the complete destruction of "B" do to a random tornado but leaves your home un touched?

see the point of the scale is not specific. it cant be! we are unable ( at our level of technology) to calculate that many variables. so why add another scale for TS when all your doing is increasing the variables.

the original included flooding and storm surge ... well they just took that variable out. now if we want to add a scale for TS then we not only add more variables we add confusion since the "average" home/mobile/structure will not be damaged by a TS and since we live in a society built around money, overly warning people ... lets say miami... that 50mph ts is coming and unless you want you home to lose a shingle or a tree fall on your house you better leave? no the better solution is to eduacte the public of the difference and realize that at 74 mph the pressure per square inch on any given structure is high enough that the average structure will sustain at least minimal damage over a large enough population.

The problem is there are too many variables to make a complete scale so you have no choice but to generalize it and make short term scales for each individual storm related to its location and population.

sure there can be improvements but none will solve all the problems. The only way is to educate the population which is what they have been trying to do for many years.

p.s sorry if its a little confusing....

[CrazyC83]

It is confusing, especially when you are dealing with trees and power lines. The soil conditions and depth of roots play a big role. Variables have to be considered.

I still make no mention of rainfall or storm surge in those situations either. Rainfall has nothing to do with intensity - tropical depressions are often wetter than major hurricanes and those who see the highest winds (coastal areas to the right of the center) almost never see the heaviest rains, and in fact, sometimes don't get a whole lot of rain at all (like 1 to 4 inches or even less - in storms transitioning to extratropical, that area could have no rain at all!). Saturated soils do not consider the storm's precipitation, except perhaps in a very slow-moving, long-duration storm.