Saffir-Simpson scale too broad?

[Chilly_Water]

I have some reservations about posting this, but....I posted this response in the other thread debating Jeanne's strength at landfall( http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=47897 )and I was hoping for some comments(got nothin'). I think this topic is worth some debate.(some friendly debate, mind you)

Quote:
Ok. I'm actually stealing this idea from a fellow S2K member(who doesn't post that much): They should drop the Saffir-Simpson scale altogether and just report the barometric pressure and give some reports of winds in every quadrant of the afflicted area.
Why?
Firstly, it'll end all this bickering on "how powerful the storm was."
Secondly, every aspect of the storm is different in every quadrant; hurricanes, and meteorology altogether, are completely fluid. Every square inch is different and putting such a broad "judgement" on such an entity is worthless....
just my opinion (End quote)

My buddy suggested this idea in a "meteorological" debate and it did make me wonder and consider the idea. I mean think about...meteorology is a fluid science. Why aren't the weather systems studied(hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, tropical depressions, whirlwinds, squalls, what-have-you, etc...) considered fluid as well? Why use such a broad rating such as the Saffir-Simpson scale on something that is cleary fluid. Putting such a broad "rating" on such a fluctuating system is almost asinine.
Opinions wanted.

[Sean in New Orleans]

The category system is useful for insurance purposes, IMO, and is an excellent tool in helping the general public understand the severity of the system. I'm with the system now, but, am open to some tweaks to it that does put more focus on barometric pressure than winds. But, again, most people understand winds better than the barometric pressure.

[Greg]

All data has a hierarchy. You can query and drill down from there. If you want to question the meaning of CAT X, then we can get into a whole discussion about people affected, dollar amounts, etc., but for now, its a simple measure of wind speed.

[Tri-State_1925]

I'm going to venture to say that the system is needed to help study and understand storms by facilitating the organization of data. Also, it would appear to be useful in helping the public understand the nature of a particular storm.

[NC George]

Here's my solution to the problem: Start calling what we now call a category 1 hurricane a category 2 Tropical storm. Then come up with a 5 point scale from where Cat 2 currently starts.

This could be easily done (without really shifting the actual speeds that currently define the categories) by joining the rest of the world in using 10 minute sustained wind speeds rather than the 1 minute sustained speed the United States currently use. This would lower most Cat 1 hurricanes into strong tropical storms, and people would better appreciate true hurricanes when they struck.

[Chilly_Water]

Sean, Greg, Tri- I agree with all of you. My only qualm is the borderline cases. Example: It's gotten to the point where if it's a "Cat 1" or a "Cat 2," the Average Joe blows it off without knowing that the barometric pressure is inclined to drop and winds will pick up in every quadrant to more catastrophic velocities. There is a large difference between a low "Cat 2"(96mph) and and high "Cat 3"(130mph)...34mph, in my opinion, is a huge difference.
And Sean, all insurance companies need to be santioned on rates or something. I know here in Charleston some companies aren't writing new huriicane policies.

[Chilly_Water]

NC George-interesting concept, but the international metric system has been used around the world since 1893 and the US STILL hasn't picked it up. Call it a hunch, but I don't think we're anywhere close to changing from the 1min sustained winds to the 10min.