Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Earth Sciences > Natural Disasters > Hurricanes Typhoons and Cyclones > How are hurricanes and tornadoes classified?

How are hurricanes and tornadoes classified?

In: Hurricanes Typhoons and Cyclones, Tornadoes, Natural Disasters [Edit categories]

Answer:

Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Scale from category 1 (weakest) to category 5 (strongest) based on sustained wind speed.

Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita of "EF" scale (formerly the Fujita of "F" scale) from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest) based on the severity of the damage they cause.

First answer by Stormish. Last edit by Stormish. Contributor trust: 533 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 75 [recommend question].

[report abuse]

Can you answer these Hurricanes Typhoons and Cyclones questions?

	What has happened to Glenn Hurricane Schwartz?	Answer it!
	What are ways to minimize the damage done by the hurricane or cyclone?	Answer it!
	When will the name Jennifer get used again for a hurricane?	Answer it!
	How should people in coastal areas prepare in advance for hurricanes?	Answer it!
	What precautions should be taken during the hurricane hits?	Answer it!

Relevant answers:

What is the difference the way hurricanes are classified and the way tornados are classified?
Hurricanes are classified based directly on wind speed from Category 1 to category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Tornadoes are rated based on damage-derived wind estimates, which are used to rate...
When was hurricane Katrina classified as a hurricane?
Hurricane Katrina reached hurricane status on August 25, 2005.
How are hurricanes classified?
Hurricanes are classified based on their maximum wind speeds. There are 5 categories, with Category 1 being the lowest strength and Category 5 being the highest strength. Some dangers associated with...
How are tornado classified?
Tornadoes are classified using the Fujita scale. The Fujita scale is a scale of six levels, named after Professor Fujita himself. The scale consists of six levels; F0, F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5, with F0...
What is a hurricane before it's classified as a hurricane?
A tropical storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph. Below tropical storm intensity is a tropical depression, with winds of 38 mph or less.