New study suggests adding a category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Their findings add to the debate about how to best communicate to the public the threats of extreme weather events.
A warmer atmosphere can also hold more moisture, meaning these storms can produce heavier rainfall and catastrophic flooding. If the planet warms 2ºC above pre-industrial levels, the risk of Category 6 storms could double in the Gulf of Mexico, the study says.. The National Hurricane Center announced Tuesday that it will begin issuing a new experimental tropical storm forecast this summer.