Should We Introduce Category 6 Hurricanes? Understanding the Growing Intensity of Storms

As hurricanes grow more intense, scientists propose adding a Category 6 to the existing 1-5 scale. Recently, Hurricane Beryl rapidly developed into a Category 5, highlighting the increasing speed and severity of such storms. The storm’s passage over 89-degree waters before hitting Texas suggests a need for a more nuanced classification. The current system fails to convey the true violence of each step up in category, similar to the misunderstanding of earthquake magnitudes. A new category would help the public grasp the escalating threat posed by these powerful hurricanes.